Coastal cash ‘a great opportunity’ for local projects

HIGHLAND communities in coastal areas have been urged to bid for cash from a new £3.9 million government pot designed to support economic development.

The money from the Coastal Communities Fund will be available from April.

Community and social enterprise groups, charities and social businesses seeking funds for an array of potential projects, which could include renewables and skills development, could be eligible.

Inverness, Nairn, Strathspey and Badenoch MP Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, said details of how to apply for the scheme will be made public soon.

"I would like to encourage counties around the North to bid for that fund, there will be a prospectus published in the next few weeks," he said.

"I think it’s a great opportunity for coastal communities all round the Highlands to get support for projects which perhaps they’ve been waiting for for a long time. We have a real opportunity to make a big difference."

The money will come from half of the Crown Estate’s revenues.

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