McMillan Meets With Minister to Discuss Enterprise Areas

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) and Member of Scottish Parliament Economy, Energy & Tourism Committee has today (Tuesday) met with the Minister for Enterprise, Fergus Ewing MSP, to discuss the Scottish Government’s plans to create four enterprise areas throughout Scotland.

Mr McMillan has recently raised the issue with the Minister in the Scottish Parliament chamber and through Parliamentary Questions. This has now been followed up by a meeting to put forward the case for Inverclyde to be included in the Scottish Government’s plans for enterprise areas.

Mr McMillan said;

“I was pleased to have the opportunity today to sit down with the Minister for Enterprise and Scottish Government officials to highlight the case why Inverclyde should be seriously considered as a future enterprise area.

“As I stated before, I believe Inverclyde is well placed, in terms of knowledge and workforce, to help drive the renewables industry forward. Therefore, the benefits of an enterprise area to Inverclyde would be vast, in-terms of employment opportunities and growing the local economy.

“The Minister is firmly aware of the issues surrounding Inverclyde, such a population decline and unemployment, and I hope he will take on-board my proposal as to why Inverclyde should be considered as an enterprise areas.”

McMillan Secures Enterprise Zone Meeting

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today secured a meeting with Minster for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP, to discuss the possibility of bringing a new ‘Enterprise Zone’ to Inverclyde.

Mr McMillan raised the issue in a question in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament, asking what consideration has been given to creating an enterprise zone in Inverclyde, and about the possibility of linking enterprise zones with the National Renewables Infrastructure Fund (NRIF) . Mr Ewing commended Mr McMillan on his persistence on this issue and agreed to meet with Mr McMillan to see how the proposal could be taken forward.

Mr McMillan said;

"I believe there is a massive opportunity to create something positive in Inverclyde via the creation of an ‘enterprise zone’ in the area.

“I propose that this is done in conjunction with the NRIF as the renewables industry is vital to the future of Scotland and I believe Inverclyde is well placed, in terms of knowledge and workforce, to help drive this industry forward.

“Inverclyde was an enterprise zone in the past and it wasn't a success. At the time, the Tories were in power at Westminster and Labour were in power in Inverclyde. It really was a missed opportunity, but I am sure that if organised properly it can be a success and bring massive benefits to the area.

“Inverclyde deserves better and I am pleased the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, has agreed to meet with me to see how we can take my proposals forward.”