Grants to support projects in disadvantaged and rural communities.
Communities in East Ayrshire will benefit from £2.35 million to regenerate local areas.
Two local projects will receive a share of £26 million awarded from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) to support local projects that engage and involve local communities in disadvantaged areas, tackle inequality and support inclusive growth.
Successful projects include:
• £2 million for Kilmarnock Academy Legacy Project, will redevelop a B-listed Kilmarnock Academy building to provide a community hub, incorporating sporting, educational, community and creative spaces
• £352,478 for Ochiltree Community Hub, which will replace the former Community Centre and Library demolished in October 2016
Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart said:
“I’m really pleased that these fantastic, locally-driven projects will benefit from an injection of funding. They will help regenerate local areas, stimulate inclusive growth and create new jobs.
“The focus of the projects being funded this year range from tackling social isolation, mitigating welfare cuts, providing training opportunities, creating business space and increasing tourism – to name but a few. They are an excellent example of how national and local government are working together on shared priorities that benefit local communities.”
Leader of East Ayrshire Council, Councillor Douglas Reid said:
“At a time when community facilities in many areas are under threat, it’s great to know that thanks to this Regeneration Capital Fund Grant we can work in partnership with communities to finalise funding which will help develop and sustain these community initiatives.
“Partnership working and innovative thinking, in conjunction with extensive public consultation has enabled the community to come up with a creative solution for Ochiltree, which will enable the Hub to host many and varied services and activities for the health, wellbeing and general benefit of the local community.
“Kilmarnock Academy’s impressive sandstone building has presided over the Kilmarnock skyline since 1898 and we’re delighted that this much loved institution will now be revamped and given such a positive new future with Centrestage.
“Centrestage has a proven track record of working with communities and individuals to nurture and promote social enterprise and entrepreneurship. Moving Centrestage to the Kilmarnock Academy site through our Community Asset Transfer scheme will enhance our Cultural Quarter with its proximity to the Dick Institute and Palace Theatre Complex . It will allow them to create 25 new jobs and upwards of 25 new voluntary positions as well as contributing to town centre regeneration.
“ With a purpose-designed, fully insulated, energy efficient and accessible base for Centrestage and Street Soccer, the organisations can consolidate, expand and offer a whole world of new opportunities which can only be of benefit to the wellbeing of our populace and our local economy as a whole, as well as a real boost to town centre regeneration.
“We’re very much looking forward to seeing both of these regeneration projects take shape now that we have the funding in place to go ahead.”
Background
Across Scotland 24 projects will be awarded funding in 2018/19, helping to support or create more than 1,400 jobs, refurbish or bring back into use 23 local buildings and support more than 84 community facilities and services.
A number of these projects will receive grant awards over the period 2018/19- 2020/21 subject to final technical checks and project performance.
A total of 119 projects have been recommended for support from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund since 2014/15. Funding has been confirmed for the remainder of the current parliamentary term, subject to annual spending reviews.
The fund, which has been developed in partnership with COSLA and local authorities, is open to all 32 Scottish local authorities and their Special Purpose Vehicles. An independent panel makes recommendations to the Scottish Ministers and COSLA on which projects should receive funding.
A list of all projects recommended for funding can be found at
https://beta.gov.scot/policies/regeneration/capital-investment/
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