Sutherland Project In Enterprising Britain 2007 Final

21st May 2007

Two Highland projects reach Enterprising Britain 2007 final.

A nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK will announce the Scottish finalist at an awards ceremony tomorrow (Wednesday 23 May 2007) at the Dakota Hotel, Bellshill, Glasgow.

Two projects from the Highlands will be represented at the Scottish finals of the Department of Trade and Industry's Enterprising Britain 2007 competition.

The competition aims to identify the town, city, place or area in the country that is best improving economic prospects and encouraging enterprise activities.

Nine Scottish projects are in the running, one of which will go forward to represent Scotland in the UK finals later in the year. The Scottish finalists include two projects from the Highlands and Islands - Alness Regeneration Project and Golspie Recycling Centre and Ben Bhraggie Mountain Bike Trails.

The Alness Regeneration Project was submitted by Alness Initiative. Due to the closure of a local smelter and the decline in the oil fabrication industry, Alness was in economic meltdown by 1995. Alness Initiative was formed at a public meeting in May 1995 to advise statutory agencies on local views and thus determine what was needed to improve the infrastructure to sustain business, boost employment and create a sense of
wellbeing in the community.

Helen Houston, Alness Initiative project officer, said: "For twelve years, community volunteers have worked tirelessly to bring about an environmental and economic change now evidenced by Alness having such a vibrant High Street. To be short listed for this award is a triumph for the volunteers who have improved their own community making it greener, more sustainable and vibrant."

Golspie Recycling Centre and Ben Bhraggie Mountain Bike Trails run by Golspie Re-cycling Environmental Action Network and Highland Wildcat. This joint project describes two community organisations undertaking environmentally sympathetic developments in the village of Golspie, namely Golspie Recycling Environmental Action Network (GREAN), and Highland Wildcat.

GREAN was established in 2002, to address a background of local economic depression, and a lack of education and training in recycling practices. It has established a kerbside collection service, community compost scheme, community garden, training opportunities, paper shredding for animal bedding and bicycle repair and recycling service. It began with two employees and now employs 14.

Highland Wildcat is creating the longest mountain bike descent and technical climb in the UK and is expected to become one of the best all-ability bike trails in the UK. The organisation is a mix of local cycle enthusiasts and business people which was formed in 2004.

Ruairidh MacNeil, acting area director at HIE Inverness and East Highland, said: "The Highlands has produced an exciting, diverse range of projects for the Enterprising Britian 2007 judges to consider. Each project has contributed significantly to its local area and I commend each team for their passion, drive and enthusiasm."

The nationwide contest, Enterprising Britain 2007, is run by the DTI's Small Business Service in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

The additional seven Scottish finalists are, in alphabetical order:

Bathgate Town Centre (submitted by Bathgate Town Centre)
Building Buchan New Beginnings (submitted by Aberdeenshire Council)
Edinburgh Science Triangle (submitted by Edinburgh Science Triangle)
Energy Capital Project (submitted by Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group)
Ettrick Riverside Business Centre (submitted by Scottish Borders New Ways
Partnership)
Pride of Place (submitted by South Lanarkshire Council)
The Energy Technology Centre (submitted by Lanarkshire Local Economic
Forum)