Saltcoats based Highland Meats has been awarded the lions share of £5.8 million in SNP Government grants distributed to 16 companies that have secured funding from the latest round of the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme.
These grants will enable these food processing companies to improve, extend or build new facilities, helping to create 92 new jobs, while safeguarding over 1,200 others and boosting the industry.
Kenneth Gibson said:
“Whether it’s salmon, dairy or whisky Scotland's food and drink industry is world-renowned and these latest grants will help 16 businesses to expand their operations in response to growing demand.
"I am delighted that Saltcoats' Highland Meats, a major employer in my own constituency, received the biggest award of £2,350,074, providing a real boost to the local economy and helping the company with its ambitious investment plans.
“With figures published this week showing that Scotland's food and drink exports increased by over 11% in the first quarter of this year, this funding clearly demonstrates the SNP Government's ongoing commitment to help food and drink companies large and small take their businesses to the next level, building on our reputation as a land of food and drink.”
FMPC grants have channelled £71.2 million of financial support directly to over 230 Scottish food and drink processors since the SNP came into office in 2007.
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