Funding of more than £500,000 has been awarded for enterprise projects in Dumfries and Galloway from the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SOSEP).

This latest tranche of funding includes:

• £320,000 to Dark Sky Spirits to help establish a new distillery in Moffat

• £143,600 to a project that aims to enhance social enterprises in the Dumfries and Galloway area

• £39,500 for the Midsteeple Quarter project in Dumfries, which aims to refurbish underused and neglected High Street buildings as contemporary living, working and learning spaces

Announcing the funding ahead of a visit to the Midsteeple project, Business Minister Jamie Hepburn, said: "Working with SOSEP, the Scottish Government is making significant and targeted investments in the south of Scotland to help the region achieve its full economic potential.

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"These three great projects will create new jobs, attract more visitors to the area, and make Dumfries and Galloway an even more attractive place to live.

"The work of SOSEP, the region's new enterprise body, and the £85 million we are investing in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, underline our commitment to continuing to deliver for the south of Scotland."

SOSEP Chair Professor Russel Griggs also said: "These are the latest in around 30 projects across the region granted funding through SOSEP in order to tackle skills gaps, provide investment in community enterprises, support town centre regeneration and add to the region's growing tourism offering.

"We need to be ambitious about our area to ensure we fulfil our potential and through the South of Scotland Economic Partnership we are able to invest in and develop those opportunities to make the south the thriving economy we know it can be."

(MH/JG)