The Glasgow City Region City Deal (
www.glasgowcityregion.co.uk), one of the largest and most advanced in the UK, continues to make significant progress, and it is set to accelerate with over £740 million spent on infrastructure in the next five years; 27 projects have been selected since the Deal was agreed with the UK and Scottish Governments in August 2014.
Among the projects are new commercial units developed at Crossmill Business Park in East Renfrewshire and an adjacent
17-acre former factory site, which has been prepared for private-sector investment and is supporting business growth (and providing employment opportunities).
Greenlaw Business Centre in Newton Mearns is set to help to meet a growing demand for flexible business space in the area, helping start-ups and existing small businesses to grow and create new jobs.
Meanwhile, work is progressing to develop the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, where a 52-hectare site next to Glasgow Airport is being transformed into Scotland’s centre for manufacturing research and innovation.
Home to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre, this project is expected to eventually create thousands of jobs.
Susan Aitken, Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Glasgow City Region Deal continues to make significant progress and is building on its status as one of the most advanced in the UK.
“We are now delivering projects at pace; communities are beginning to see the delivery of the Deal’s promise and that it is having a clear transformational effect.
“Over 20 major infrastructure projects are either underway or due to commence; we have worked with almost 20,000 unemployed citizens and helped 4,500 back into sustainable employment; transport and connectivity are improving.
“We look forward to the next five years, where we can really build on the potential of the City Deal and ensure that we have the levers to transform the Glasgow City Region into the real Powerhouse of the North.”