11 projects across Scotland have been awarded a share of £3.59 million from the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme including a £159,838.49 grant Finlay’s Farm Ltd Dumfries and Galloway ( H9me of Cream O Galloway Ice-cream) for building work and cheese manufacturing equipment.
The funding will allow local companies to invest in their infrastructure, upgrade or replace existing facilities, and purchase new equipment.
That includes an award of just under £160,000 for Finlay’s Farm in Rainton, near Castle Douglas. The funding will help to create a dedicated cheese making and storage facility.
Welcoming the news, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:
“We are doing everything we can to support Scotland’s successful food and drink industry, which continues to go from strength to strength. Our long-term ambition is to double the industry’s value to £30 billion in the next 12 years.
“Each of the companies receiving an award already plays an important role in their local economies, but are demonstrating great ambition to grow and improve their businesses. We’re giving them a helping hand to realise that ambition, creating jobs and driving forward Scottish industry – while ultimately providing consumers with a higher quality end product.”
The Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant scheme is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (2014-20) – a joint programme of support involving Scottish Government and European Union funds. To date the FPMC scheme has supported 99 Scottish food and drink businesses with awards totalling £45 million – leveraging over £150 million private investment. The scheme has helped create around 1000 jobs with a further 5,500 safeguarded.
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