Dumfries and Galloway Councillors have been urged to back additional investments totaling £1.83 million to fund a range of projects aimed at boosting the local economy.

The Council's Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee appealed to Councillors seeking permission to agree to six new funding allocations to take the total Economic Development project investments to £5.731M during the three year capital programme.

£3,901,000 has already been allocated for 2016-18, with proposals to spend the further £1.830m including the sum of £330,000 which has been freed up following completion of projects from the original allocation of £2.47M for Stranraer Waterfront and associated projects.

The six new projects include:

• Stranraer Waterfront East Pier/Marina where funding of an additional £760,000 is recommended to continue work to deliver the regeneration over and above previous allocations.

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• Stranraer St Ayles Skiff Project where funding of £70,000 is recommended to provide an educational, training and leisure project as part of the slipway/Agnew Park improvements

• Dumfries High Street Improvements – an additional £500,000 recommended (taking the total to £1.4m).

• M74 Corridor Development / Chapelcross - £350,000 of CX Project funding to secure business case for Government Infrastructure funding.

• Regional Property Improvement Programme - £90,000 for the continuation of the shopfront improvement scheme.

• Regional Employment Sites - £60,000 development funding to undertake feasibility studies and business case development.

It is intended that, if approved, the projects would be developed further with local communities, key stakeholders and Area Committees. The additional funds add to the £3,901,000 already allocated to projects over the next few years including Moat Brae House in Dumfries, the Stranraer Town centre Heritage Project, Gretna Central Avenue Public Realm improvements, Annan High Street improvements, projects in Upper Nithsdale including Kirkconnel and Sanquhar Public Realm improvements.

Councillor Colin Smyth, Chair of EEI Committee said: "Building the local economy is the council's number one priority, so that's why we have a rolling programme of major capital investment in projects that boost the economy. These projects are at the very heart of our communities and this investment, if approved, has the potential to help revitalise the area's economy.

"These projects cover a wide range of potential opportunities across the region, from infrastructure to employment, tourism to education, improving not only the area in which we live, but also the skills of our residents, making these very worthwhile investments for the future."

(MH/CD)