Communities across Ayrshire are set for a significant economic lift after the UK Government signed off the region's new Local Growth Fund (LGF) Investment Plan, unlocking £11.8 million of funding for 2026 to 2029.

The package reflects the shared ambition of the Ayrshire Regional Economic Partnership (AREP), which brings together North Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, Ayrshire College, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and wider regional partners to deliver sustainable, inclusive, long-term growth.

Approval of the LGF plan follows the recent adoption of Ayrshire's Regional Economic Strategy Delivery Plan 2026–2029 and reinforces partners' commitment to coordinated economic development. Through AREP, organisations have set common priorities, aligned investment plans and created joint delivery arrangements so resources, expertise and funding are targeted for maximum regional impact.

The £11.8 million LGF allocation is aimed at improving real disposable household income and driving growth across three priorities: local growth and community infrastructure; business innovation and growth support; and skills development and employment training.

-- Advertisement --

Working collectively at regional scale will help partners attract additional investment, respond to economic challenges and deliver opportunities no single organisation could achieve alone. The programme will support projects that strengthen communities, expand opportunities for residents and businesses, and build a more productive, competitive regional economy.

Delivered through AREP, the approved plan seeks to improve productivity, competitiveness and real disposable household income while laying the foundations for inclusive, sustainable growth. Year one actions include establishing and supporting regional delivery capacity; developing a shared Regional Economic Partnership website; rolling out regional business support and innovation activity; advancing skills and employability through regional recruitment incentives and capital investment; and shaping a pipeline of future funding and investment opportunities. £4.4 million has been earmarked to deliver the first-year ambitions.

Councillor Tony Gurney, Chair of the Ayrshire Regional Economic Partnership, said: "This funding approval is an important milestone for Ayrshire and reflects the strength of the partnership that has been developed across the region. The £11.8 million package will support a regional programme of investment that will benefit communities, businesses and residents across Ayrshire. By aligning this investment with our Regional Economic Strategy, we can tackle barriers to inclusive growth, support innovation and enterprise, develop skills and create opportunities that deliver meaningful long-term benefits across the region. This is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when partners work together around a shared vision and common priorities."

Ayrshire is one of Scotland's most established regional economic partnerships, with public, private, academic and third-sector organisations collaborating to deliver shared priorities and long-term regional prosperity.

The programme will be overseen through established regional governance, with partners jointly managing investment, monitoring outcomes and ensuring resources are directed towards priorities that support productivity, competitiveness, skills development and inclusive growth across Ayrshire.