New Inverness campus could create nearly 1,000 jobs
A project aimed at transforming the economy of Inverness and the wider Highlands and Islands for years to come has been officially opened.
John Swinney, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, unveiled a commemorative plaque marking the opening of Inverness Campus, which he hailed as one of Scotland’s most innovative infrastructure projects.
Developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Inverness Campus aims to bring business, research and educational organisations together on the 215-acre site to support collaboration, knowledge transfer and build on the progress the capital of the Highlands has already made in securing highly skilled jobs in recent years.
The site has also been designated as a Life Sciences Enterprise Area.
With investment in the campus already approaching £100m, it is expected to be one of the main drivers in the region’s economy over the next five years.
Independent research estimates it has the potential to support up to 1,300 jobs on site and create 940 new jobs across the Highlands and Islands.
The official opening comes as Mr Swinney also announced that Scotland’s Rural College has formally committed to locate onto the campus, opening a state of the art Epidemiology Research Unit and facilities for its agricultural consultancy services within one of the new shared buildings.
The development is also a place for the wider community to enjoy, featuring over 30 acres of parkland which opened to the public on Saturday.
Mr Swinney, who has chaired the Inverness Campus Partnership Forum for seven years, says the site is not only a major asset for the region but is of national significance.
"It goes without saying that the campus project, an exemplar of collaborative working, will bring wide-ranging and substantial benefits to the Highlands and Islands and to Scotland as a whole.
"The benefits that will flow from the project are substantial in terms of economic, social, cultural and academic impact; in line with Scotland’s economic strategy.
"The location of this transformational project has undoubted strategic value for a new generation of Highland-based businesses, and I have asked our enterprise and international development agencies to investigate opportunities presented by it, not least in life sciences, and I am confident their focus will help fulfil the vision of the campus as a place to inspire and attract business.
"Opening ceremonies often mark the conclusion of a project. This one is different: this, of course, only the first part of the Inverness Campus story.
"This is an outstanding facility which I believe will be a leading resource for enterprise and innovation, not only of benefit to the region, but to the entire country. The teamwork of everyone involved has helped make Inverness Campus a reality and I am sure this will continue in the years ahead.
"Given the combination of business, research and education all on the one site, international interest and investment will undoubtedly follow. The Scottish Government will work with our enterprise and international development agencies to promote this leading facility in the stunning location of the Highlands of Scotland."
Highland and Islands Enterprise has committed £25m to develop the site and other partner organisations include the University of the Highlands and Islands, NHS Highland, the Highland Council and the Scottish Funding Council.
The first phase of the project will see the opening of a new building for Inverness College UHI, the creation of an Enterprise and Research Centre, and a dedicated Life Science building with an initial 1,000sqm available for businesses later this year.
There are 17 fully serviced plots with outline planning permission available set around two picturesque lochans on the site. Discussions with a number of commercial organisations are at an advanced stage.
Alex Paterson, chief executive of HIE, emphasised the transformational potential of the Campus for generations to come. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create something unique for the region. It is a long-term project which will have an increasing impact over many years.
"For instance, the educational opportunities and new jobs at the campus will encourage young people to stay in, or relocate to, the area, while the links between education, industry and academia will boost local businesses and make the Campus an attractive inward investment location."