Inverness Airport park plan could bring 1,200 jobs
Inverness Airport.
A DEVELOPMENT company is expected to spend £30 million in creating the first phase of a new business park at Inverness airport which could bring over 1,000 jobs.
Warwickshire-based Roxhill has signed a seven-year agreement with Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) to develop part of the site between the airport and the A96.
IABP said the deal was one of the most significant for the Highlands in years and could lead to more than 1,200 jobs.
Work on the first phase could start by the end of this year.
Roxhill has sought occupiers, such as freight handling, logistics and warehousing companies, for the first phase of the development.
The deal represents a big step forward for the park - a joint venture between Highlands and Islands Airport, Moray Estates and Highlands and Islands Enterprise - which was first mooted ten years ago but has been delayed by the recession.
Alan Price, IABP chairman said: "This announcement is hugely significant for the economic development of the Highlands and Islands. We are confident Roxhill will attract large occupiers to the business park, meaning jobs and investment for the area."
Executive chairman David Kerr said: "Inverness is a fast growing city, yet it has a real shortage of industrial space.
He added: "I would certainly hope to see infrastructure work under way before the end of this year, with businesses open on site in 2012."
IABP is the result of a joint venture between Highlands and Islands Airports, Moray Estates and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, with support from Highland Council.
