Nearly all the 370 workers made redundant when Longannet power station closed are in employment or training.
The good news was revealed as Fife Council hosted the final meeting of the taskforce set up in the wake of ScottishPower’s devastating decision to shut the Kincardine plant.
Some 99% are now in some kind of work or training since Longannet shut in March 2016.
Chaired by Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse and Fife Council co-leader David Ross, the meeting reviewed activities and heard from the energy giant on the progress being made in safely clearing the site which shut in 2016.
Longannet’s strategic importance in central Scotland and the support available to prospective investors and emerging high value business growth sectors was highlighted, as was the potential for the upper Forth region to be realised as a future economic growth area.
Money allocated in September 2016 to Fife, Clackmannanshire and North Ayrshire councils, have helped to mitigate the impacts on the local economy.
Mr Wheelhouse said since first meeting partners have worked hard to ensure a positive outcome for those impacted by the closure of the power station.
“At our last meeting, we heard about the positive impact that the taskforce has had, including how 99% of those affected by the closure have been helped to find alternative employment or training and it has worked directly to help mitigate the effects on individuals, communities and businesses,” he explained.
Fife Economy Partnership will have the key role in overseeing the next stage of work.
Mr Ross welcomed the “real progress of the taskforce”.
But he warned there was still work to do, including deploying support to the workforce and securing community legacy funding from ScottishPower.
He looked forward to exploring how the upper Forth could best be promoted nationally.
SNP councillor Alice McGarry added: “I welcome the continued momentum on areas of remaining priority and am pleased that south west Fife area committee will continue to receive regular updates.
“This will help to inform the emerging south west Fife local community plan and ensure strong links with community groups and planned regeneration activity across the south west Fife area.”
Future reporting would come through Fife Economy Partnership and south west Fife committee.
