GRANT CAMPBELL: Wider reaching social benefits of green freeport could be transformational
A new year brings with it many resolutions and best intentions, so along with our members, SCDI are working hard to ensure 2023 delivers on all fronts for the region.
The visit of the Prime Minister and First Minister to Inverness to announce the successful bid by Opportunity Cromarty Firth to become a green freeport has certainly given the positive start to the year many of our members had hoped for.
The importance of this status for developing our regional economy is enormous and the magnitude of the wider reaching social benefits for the people and communities around Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth have the potential to be transformational. Infrastructure upgrades and improvements, increased skills and learning opportunities for all ages with high-skilled jobs to support current and emerging industries are just but a few. SCDI will be supporting our members and the Opportunity Cromarty Firth Consortium through our policy work and events programme.
With the heavy snowfall impacting many of us in Inverness and Ross-shire recently, it certainly reminded me that it was time to get the ski equipment ready for use on the slopes of our region’s ski centres. I recently visited the new developments at Nevis Range which greatly improve the facilities for both winter and summer sports enthusiasts in Lochaber. Following such a long period out of action, I was delighted to see the reopening of the Funicular Railway at Cairngorm Mountain last week and well done to Highlands and Islands Enterprise and CMSL on getting the railway and refurbished Ptarmigan restaurant reopened for snow sports and outdoor activities this winter.
Following on from our ground-breaking report of the Business Purpose Commission ‘Now is the Time for Purpose’, which addresses how Scotland can become known at home and globally for nurturing purposeful businesses which make a positive impact on economic prosperity, social wellbeing and environmental sustainability, we will be in Fort Augustus for an event to support member organisations in accelerating their journey to becoming more purposeful.
Grant Campbell is SCDI’s regional manager for the Highlands and Islands.
