A FUNDING package of £200,000 has been awarded to Procast to support the Group’s creation of 23 new green jobs.
The cash injection comes from Scottish Enterprise – the country’s economic development agency – who are encouraging businesses to work towards net-zero carbon emission targets to protect the environment and stimulate new commercial prosperity.
This year’s £4million funding round is the first tranche in a three-year, £27million package that Scottish Enterprise will share to businesses operating in Scotland.
The financial boost will help Procast to create an all-new green technology complex, comprising an eco storage and fabrication building, training centre and design and research base.
It will generate 23 new jobs at Limekilnburn, on the outskirts of Hamilton, Lanarkshire – an area which has suffered from steady economic slow-down and continued depopulation.
Staff will be recruited from the local vicinity, where Procast have already pledged to provide work experience opportunities to pupils at local high schools, particularly through the renewable technologies division of the Group.
The new facilities – comprising one new building and upgrades to the existing office facilities – will generate economic activity in the villages of Limekilnburn and Quarter, which are socially and economically disadvantaged.
The base will also be used to supply local landowners, farmers and the general community with a sustainable supply of Biomass Suppliers’ List-approved renewable energy fuels, which will help reduce the size of the carbon footprint in South Lanarkshire.
By having a combined service and fuel supply facility, Procast can provide a ‘”one-stop” service to local customers, which will also help reduce traffic volume in the locality.
Furthermore, the condition and visual appearance of the site will be improved as a result of Procast’s investment.
A Group spokesman said: “This funding package from Scottish Enterprise is hugely welcome and it reinforces our commitment not just to the economic development of the area through jobs creation but to the environment as well.
“We are fully committed to South Lanarkshire, where Procast was founded and where we have grown and developed as a company over the years – and we see this development forming a key part of our long-term future.”
Scottish Enterprise have pledged to support business to create jobs that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources and jobs that help drive more environmentally friendly processes in Scottish businesses.
Linda Hanna, interim Chief Executive, said: “Green economic growth is a longstanding area of focus and competitive advantage for Scotland internationally.
“It’s the ideal fit for our inaugural financing call ahead of COP26 coming to Glasgow and signals the first of several investment and business-support opportunities Scottish Enterprise will be offering.”
< back
