Business / Full steam ahead for Yell business park expansion after funding boost
PLANS for an expanded business park in Cullivoe have secured a significant funding boost worth more than £500,000.
Ten serviced sites for new or expanding businesses will be created following high demand from local companies, the majority of which operate in the marine sector.
The development is expected to lead to the creation of around 25 new jobs in the next three years.
The project is the work of the North Yell Development Council (NYDC), which is also installing an upgraded marina in the area.
The hope is that the revamped business park will be completed by the end of March.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is investing nearly £250,000 in site servicing costs, while Marine Fund Scotland has also awarded a similar amount.
Shetland Islands Council has also pledged £25,000 to enable the project to be completed by spring next year.
The expansion will treble the size of the Cullivoe industrial estate, adding 12,000m² to the existing 5,810m² of land under NYDC ownership at the business park.
The original business park was created in 2003 and it employs 19 people at three businesses.
A recent survey, however, showed many firms operating in the marine sector were keen to expand their premises and operations at the extended business park.
Cullivoe is Shetland’s third largest fishing port and it is ranked eighth in Scotland with annual fish landings totalling around £6.9 million.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise said the new area has been designed to “reduce environmental impact as far as possible in relation to carbon emissions”.
This includes materials excavated being recycled for use on site and a future phase of the project is likely to see increased renewable energy development including onshore power for vessels, and vehicle charging points.
NYDC director Andrew Nisbet said the community group is “extremely appreciative of the support and encouragement we have received”.
He also said the project represents the first major community payback from its five-turbine Garth wind farm.
“This will allow our community to fulfil aspirations for the business park and marina development, that have been pursued for the last 11 years,” Nisbet added.
“Demand for sites on the business park has been high, with all sites set to be occupied on completion.”
HIE’s Shetland area manager Katrina Wiseman said: “We are delighted to support this community led infrastructure project, that will enhance Cullivoe’s already impressive track record in contributing to the social and economic wellbeing and growth of the region.
“Extending the business park will enable the growth of businesses on Yell and create well paid jobs in the marine sector, ultimately supporting the retention of families in the island and attracting skills and talent to the area. This would not have been possible without close working relationships with our key partners including Marine Scotland.”
Rural affairs and islands secretary Mairi Gougeon, said: “Creating jobs across a spectrum of fishing, aquaculture and renewable energy will deliver wider benefits across the local and regional economy and I wish the project every success as it continues to grow and help deliver sustainable communities in the process.”
NYDC has already successfully levered in £1.8 million of grant funding for the business park and marina projects, as well as committing over £400,000 of its own resources.
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