The next stage of development at the Enterprise Park Forres is set to get underway following the approval of an investment of almost £410,000 by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

This will fund road extension, drainage construction and other associated infrastructure works at an 11-acre plot at the south side of the park. The agency has appointed Pat Munro (Alness) Limited to carry out the works, managed by agents, the Torrance Partnership.

The Enterprise Park Forres (EPF) is an on-going development by HIE within a landscaped setting just off the A96, one mile west of Forres and 15 minutes from Elgin.

Around 500 employees are (normally) based in the developed 40 acres of the 100-acre park. It incorporates flexible business space, with individual units suitable for office, research and development, and clean manufacturing.

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It is home to developments such as the Horizon Scotland innovation and incubation centre (currently full), KURA contact centre, the ATOS development centre and the Orbex research and development centre, which houses Europe's leading private satellite launch company.

Other tenants include Gael Force Marine, Phoenix Instinct, Electro Flow Controls and Makar Technologies.

The further development of the Enterprise Park Forres supports the strategic aims of the Moray Economic Strategy, a joint initiative by HIE and Moray Council.

Stuart Black, HIE area manager in Moray, said: "We've been developing the Enterprise Park Forres to provide a range of good quality options for local businesses to grow, so they can stay in the area, but also to accommodate more firms looking to locate in Moray.

"The success of the park has contributed to economic growth in the Forres area and to community resilience by creating conditions to attract firms that provide good quality job opportunities.

"With the exception of just one building, the developed area of park is now fully occupied, so it's absolutely the right to time to start preparations for the next development phase."

The Enterprise Park Forres is easily accessible by public transport and cycling. HIE has commissioned a Green Travel Plan for the site to promote green travel and contribute to wider efforts to reduce emissions. This will ensure the park continues to be an attractive place for employers and employees.

Work on the contract is expected to start in December and be completed by the end of March 2021.