THOUSANDS of jobs and investment worth more than £400 million are being forecast as part of a scheme to boost business and improve infrastructure.
Falkirk Council hopes to attract the long-term investment to unlock industrial areas, improve motorway links and contribute to flood defences at the port and refinery in Grangemouth.
It won approval to borrow £67m against future estimated business rates income, known as Tax Incremental Financing (TIF), for its 25-year plan. The scheme will boost jobs locally and help the wider Scottish economy, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.
"The Falkirk TIF will allow dozens of major construction developments across the area to unlock significant economic development and regeneration," she said.
The initial outlay is expected to attract more than £400m in private investment and create almost 6000 jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships, according to the Scottish Government.
Council leader Craig Martin said:"Key infrastructure development will unlock more opportunities in our key sectors of chemicals, manufacturing and logistics, ensuring these high-value, job-creating industries can thrive to benefit the whole of Scotland."
The scheme involved Forth Ports, the council, Scottish Enterprise and the Government. It was led by the Scottish Futures Trust.
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