THE Ayrshire Growth Deal has reached a major milestone as council leaders attended the virtual signing event.

The three Ayrshire council leaders, Councillors Douglas Reid, Joe Cullinane and Peter Henderson, joined Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Mathieson MSP, and Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack MP signed the deal.

The signing of the £251 million deal will ensure a huge boost to the area, creating thousands of jobs and massive investments.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Mr Matheson said: “In a period of economic uncertainty and challenge, delivery of the Ayrshire Growth Deal is more important than ever with the projects re-invigorating the regional economy.

“I appreciate all the hard work that the three councils across Ayrshire and their partners have put in to get us to this point.

The signing of this deal, with investment of £103 million from the Scottish Government, will help to drive future growth and prosperity in the region and in Scotland as a whole.”

Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “The pandemic has shone a light on the inequalities in society and at the heart of the Ayrshire Growth Deal will be equity and inclusivity.

“The Growth Deal represents a £251 million Community Wealth Building opportunity, with every project delivered with a focus on sharing the benefits and rewards from the investment across our communities.

“Considerable work has been progressed in recent months to get us to this stage.

“Now we have reached it, we are ready to start delivering on the potential of the Growth Deal for the people of Ayrshire.”

The deal is to deliver projects focussing on innovation, productivity and tackling inequality to help develop key sites in Ayrshire. (See below for Ardrossan details).

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: “Ayrshire’s potential has been left untapped for decades, and while we know the Growth Deal will not solve all of our problems overnight, these projects will greatly assist our economic recovery and change the fortunes of Ayrshire for this, and future generations.”