A 10-year plan to bring big businesses to Perth and Kinross, create jobs and jump-start economic growth has been unveiled.
It will begin with £3.5 million of investment in key projects in Kinross, Perth, Aberuthven, Crieff, Pitlochry and Alyth over the next two years.
That funding should be confirmed this week at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s strategic policy and resources committee.
The overall council investment planned over the life of the 10-year plan will rise to more than £8.7m.
Proposals aim to build on existing strengths and opportunities in key sectors such as tourism and hospitality, food and drink, and renewables, particularly in relation to clean technologies.
They are designed to stimulate major commercial property investment and economic growth, while both protecting existing business and attracting new firms to the region.
Council leader and committee convener Ian Miller told The Courier: “The council is committed to supporting our local economy in ways that progress our ambitions for Perth as a city and benefit our smaller communities across Perth and Kinross.
“Investing in developing key business sectors is vital. These proposals bring potential economic benefit across the area.”
Four priority projects are proposed and outlined in a report that sets out the aspiration over 10 years to 2022/23.
Completing the Kinross West business site and developing the site earmarked for the Perth Food and Drink Park at North Muirton would deliver an estimated nine hectares of land for business use and potentially create 36 jobs during the construction phase.
Developing the Perth Food and Drink Park could initially support up to seven businesses in the food and drink sector, creating and/or safeguarding up to 15 jobs.
Applications for external funding are being made to the Scottish Government and European grants as potential additional funding for use in the park project.
The outcome of a bid for £1.85m from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Scheme will be announced in December.
The industrial and business space ultimately built out of these sites could total up to 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft) of space and accommodate up to 450 jobs.
In addition, developing small business units at Aberuthven, Crieff and Pitlochry could create an estimated 15 to 20 jobs during construction and accommodate a similar amount when the units are let.
Subject to successful negotiations with landowners, it is also proposed to acquire an opportunity site in Alyth to ensure an adequate supply of business land.
Funding for development of the projects would be provided through the council’s Commercial Property Investment Programme, if approved at Wednesday’s meeting.