New funding for i3 Gateway
A new business hub is to be created at i3, Irvine's Enterprise area, with funding from the Local Economic Development fund.
The project in Irvine is one of four projects to benefit from funding announced in the Programme for Government. The funding will enable the development of the Gateway site at i3, a key location and a significant development at Irvine's Enterprise Area.
The £1.7 million funding will be used to develop high quality business space which will be targeted for the life and chemical sciences sector at the Strategic Investment Campus.
The project at i3's Gateway site includes new industrial business space as well as road and utility expansion to attract growth companies to the Irvine area. 3000 square metres of business space will be created and 2.5 hectares of land brought back into use.
A total of £10 million was allocated in the Programme for Government. The other projects which benefitted are in Clackmannanshire, Fife and Hawick.
Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse said:
“As was made clear in the Programme for Government, we wanted to introduce measures to boost business confidence and keep our economy moving. I’m pleased to now be able to confirm the four areas that will receive a share of the £10 million, I have no doubt that these projects will help to drive our economy and provide a real benefit to people across the country.
“In the wake of the EU referendum, we have committed to protecting Scotland’s interests, particularly our economic interests. We have been working to ensure that money reaches businesses, communities and individuals where it is most needed. Local businesses can be the engines of our economy and strong local economies are crucial to our success.”
Welcoming the funding, Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay said, "We are delighted to have secured this funding which means that we will have the highest quality of business accommodation on offer to potential inward investors.
"i3, Irvine's Enterprise Area is already attracting new companies to the area, with 1655 people in permanent jobs at i3, with hundreds more working onsite on a contracted basis, taking the overall total to well over 2000. A 45% increase since Enterprise Area designation in March 2012. This additional investment means we can continue to create the type of facilities that we know businesses are looking for. A major focus for us is the life and chemical sciences sector and we are committed to creating accommodation that will meet the stringent requirements of industries in this sector.
"As responsibility for inward investment at i3 moves over to North Ayrshire Council in April 2017, we are pleased that this strategic business park is well placed to continue to attract new businesses into the area."