£30m for Scottish community regeneration projects announced

The Scottish Government has announced Scotland’s 32 local authorities and more than 25 individual community projects will receive a share of £30m for regeneration and town centre improvements.

The funding will be available immediately through the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and the Town Centre Fund (TCF), both delivered in partnership between Scottish Government and COSLA.

The Govanhill Baths refurbishment in Glasgow, Midmills in Inverness, which will support creative industries and cultural social enterprises in the Highlands is among the projects that will benefit from this funding.

‘This further £30m capital funding for regeneration and town centres will stimulate local construction across Scotland and support disadvantaged areas in the recovery,’ said communites secretary, Aileen Campbell.

‘Communities are best placed to identify specific needs and aspirations and this regeneration funding enables the delivery of a wide range of locally-developed projects to be made into reality.

‘Our places must work for our communities, and the Town Centre Funding will build on the success of last year’s fund. With it, local authorities will be able to drive forward projects that help people live better locally and reduce their carbon footprint while driving footfall to local businesses.’

COSLA’s environment and economy spokesperson, Cllr Steven Heddle added: ‘The additional challenges facing Scotland’s most vulnerable communities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic means there has never been a more important time to strengthen the economic, social, and physical wellbeing of our places.

‘This additional funding for the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Town Centre Fund will support the regeneration aspirations of our communities, and also accelerate the delivery of projects to support the recovery, tackle disadvantage and deprivation and support jobs.’

Photo Credit – Barrypit (Pixabay)