Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth visited Dumfries to present research by South of Scotland Enterprise identifying more than 200 projects that could unlock £31.8bn in regional investment. The proposals span clean energy, technology and tourism, and aim to boost jobs, housing and inward investment. Gilruth highlighted transport and connectivity challenges that affect education, health and housing, and acknowledged some projects—such as a proposed Chapelcross data centre—may provoke environmental concerns. SOSE chair Russel Griggs said the right investment in housing, transport and skills would amplify the region's contribution to Scotland's economy.
South of Scotland Could Attract £31.8bn From 200+ Projects, Deputy First Minister Says
Jenny Gilruth has been in Dumfries for the Convention of the South of Scotland [BBC]
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth visited Dumfries to discuss new research commissioned by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) that identifies more than 200 projects with the potential to unlock £31.8bn of investment across the region.
Speaking while chairing a session of the Convention of the South of Scotland on the Crichton campus, Gilruth said the wide-ranging proposals — spanning clean energy, technology, tourism and other sectors — present a "real opportunity" to drive economic growth in the south of Scotland.
She said the Scottish Government remains in "listening mode" but emphasised the need to tackle key local challenges. "It would be remiss of me as a former transport minister not to come here and talk about transport," Gilruth said, stressing that connectivity issues affect access to education, health services and housing.
"Where there are employment opportunities, the government will always champion that. But we also need to measure that against the environmental impacts and that's why we've been very clear on these matters in terms of that wider guidance that will flow to planning authorities such as Dumfries and Galloway. So we'll continue to work with communities on that in terms of driving that economic growth."
Gilruth acknowledged some projects could be contentious for local communities — citing the proposed data centre at the former Chapelcross nuclear site as an example — and said Ministers will weigh employment benefits alongside environmental concerns and community views.
Russel Griggs, chair of SOSE, said the research underscores the scale of opportunity in the south of Scotland and the potential to grow further. "Given the right investment, and the housing, transport and skills to support it, it will help the south of Scotland's economy grow further and make a powerful contribution to Scotland's national economy and growth ambitions," he said.
Full details of the report are due to be published next week. Local initiatives mentioned in related coverage include plans for lab equipment reuse in a former depot and an application for a large data centre at the old nuclear plant site.
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