A new £90 million UK City Region Deal has been launched for Stirling and Clackmannanshire.

The initiative will see both the UK and Scottish Government's invest more than £45m each to drive economic growth across the region.

A number of projects have been outlined to boost business start-up and growth, help companies develop and export their expertise, as well as helping more local people get the skills they need to get into jobs. Key schemes include;

• The creation of a new International Environment Centre to draw together academic expertise from across Scotland, the UK and the world. The facility will connect environmental research with business opportunities and training and will take full advantage of the natural environment and heritage of the region

• New and improved Active Travel routes through the City Region Deal. Transport Scotland will work with the partners to identify investments to improve regional connectivity between Stirling City and Alloa, and outlying settlements, as well as improvements to the active travel network around Northside

• A new Aquaculture Innovation Hub, which will be unique in the UK, will operate four aquatic research facilities which between them will provide the full range of marine environmental conditions. The hub will create research and development opportunities to grow the export of Scottish aquaculture skills and products

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• The development of a Digital District programme of investments in digital skills, training and business development, alongside the creation of Digital Hubs in Callander and Alloa. The Scottish Tartan Centre, a new attraction for visitors to Stirling and Scotland, will celebrate the history of this iconic fabric that is associated with Scotland the world over, and help to grow the region's tourism industry

• Releasing MOD land to the council to align with their housing and business plans

• DWP will offer support to people from disadvantaged groups in Clackmannanshire to help them access work

Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said: "The UK Government is investing £45 million in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal. The ambitious and innovative Deal will drive economic growth across the region, creating jobs and boosting prosperity for generations to come. It is now for Stirling and Clackmannanshire to get on with the hard work needed to turn these proposals into a reality."

Stirling Council Leader, Scott Farmer, said: "This deal will help Stirling Council write the first page of a fresh new chapter in this area's ancient, famous and storied history.

"Today we focus on our future by using this investment to not just build on what we have and know, but to expand, grow and truly flourish in the modern world.

"Our aim is to bring change and innovation to the people, businesses and communities of the entire region and the funding brought forward with the City Region Deal puts the power in our hands to achieve that."

Clackmannanshire Council Leader, Ellen Forson, said: "I am delighted that the Scottish and UK Governments have made this formal commitment to invest in the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal through the announcement of 'Heads of Terms' today.

"I believe that the joint City Deal bid provides a unique opportunity to promote shared and sustainable growth in our region over the next 10 years and beyond, building on Clackmannanshire's strengths whilst helping to change the lives of our disadvantaged and excluded residents. We look forward to continuing to work closely with all our partners in the months and years ahead to develop these exciting initiatives."

(LM)