THE SCOTTISH Government is calling on the country's cities and regions to apply for additional funding to help them recover from the coronavirus pandemic - with two new funds of a total £4 million up for grabs.
City local authorities in Scotland have been invited to submit a proposal to aid its recovery from the pandemic for a share of the £2 million City Centres Recovery Fund.
Applications for funding to help businesses apply for outdoor trading areas in Glasgow and for the repurposing of empty buildings in Dundee city centre are among those already received, the Scottish Government has said.
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Applications have also been sent in for Edinburgh and Perth.
Meanwhile, a further £2 million will also be available through the Regional Recovery Fund, which aims to maximise local job creation and accelerate the fulfilment of city and regional growth deals, which have been signed across the country.
The funds were announced by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop ahead of the first meeting of the city centre recovery task force, set up to inform government policy as restrictions as a result of the pandemic are eased.
Ms Hyslop said: “There is no denying the severe impact this pandemic has had, and continues to have, on our cities and regions.
“We recognise the sacrifices everyone has made to support our collective effort to get the virus under control and for that we are incredibly grateful.
“We know the pandemic has had differing impacts across Scotland, and this targeted support allows each local authority to put forward tailored proposals that meet their unique needs and support economic recovery.
“We have already provided £1.2 billion in economic recovery initiatives over the last year and the recently passed Scottish budget sets out even more recovery measures to support the economy in the next year.
“Our city centre recovery taskforce will develop a shared vision for the future of Scotland’s city centres, with a focus on innovative actions to help them prosper over the next five years, in a way that encourages inclusive and sustainable growth.”
Proposals received so far include:
- plans for more city centre based apprenticeships and training in Edinburgh
- property repair, improvement and conversion in Perth City Centre
- repurposing of Dundee City Centre properties through collaboration with Creative Industries sector
- support for businesses in Glasgow applying for outdoor trading areas as restrictions ease
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