NEW business start-ups are surging in Moray as locals and economic development agencies respond positively to the closure of the RAF base in Kinloss two years ago.
The impact of the RAF's withdrawal has proved to be a "shot in the arm" for a region which had largely relied on the forces for its economic wellbeing.
Figures show 71 new business have started up in the first half of this financial year, up 16% on last year, with 140 expected to come on stream over 2013-14 if current growth is maintained.
While the departure of the RAF has been mitigated by the arrival of the 39 Engineer Regiment (Air Support) Royal Engineers, who now occupy Kinloss Barracks, there has been a net reduction in personnel from 1800 to 1200.
The economic impact was expected to have been heightened because the army's lower salaries were not likely to see as much spent in the local economy.
However, the blow is understood to have had a galvanising effect on the local community, awakening a "dormant entrepreneurial spirit" and creating a more positive environment for enterprise to flourish.
A new organisation, the Moray Economic Partnership (MEP), was set up to co-ordinate resources for people looking to start their own businesses, from grants to advice.
Some of those who have launched start-ups include former RAF base personnel, in part because they want to continue living and working in the area.
The MEP said the figures on start-ups were encouraging as two-thirds of new starts survive beyond the 12-month period. This compares with a rate of one in five across the country as a whole.
MEP chairman John Cowe said: "When the threat of closure loomed over Moray, it brought the community together as never before.
"Although the net impact of the changes in MoD (Ministry of Defence) presence in Moray has been a downturn in the numbers of personnel, the episode has had an invigorating effect on the area's business community.
"Many of the former RAF personnel have chosen to stay in the area and start up businesses, and the number of indigenous entrepreneurs has also soared in the last couple of years. Moray has a great story to tell that we may not have been very good at telling it in the past, but through working together under the MEP banner I'm sure our fortunes are swiftly changing.
"The cloud of base closures that hung over Moray clearly has a silver lining."
Among Moray's newest start-ups are the Speyside Craft Brewery, set up by chemistry graduate Seb Jones, and a gallery from fine art graduate Louise Pearson. Both are based in Forres and have received support from Business Gateway and the Prince's Trust.
The gallery features contemporary art and includes her father's antique furniture business.
Ms Pearson said: "We've been open for four months and it has been good. It's very different from an urban gallery and we've had a lot of local people and a lot of visitors from London especially.
"Furniture sales have shot up and I have been doing a lot of commissions - I have my studio behind the gallery."
Another new enterprise has seen Darren Margach and business partner David Anderson buy the Bowl 2000 ten-pin bowling and entertainment venue in Elgin.
And outsourcing specialist Atos could be set to employ 500 staff in Moray at a new development and innovation centre at Forres Business Park.
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