Ayrshire Growth Deal
The Ayrshire Growth Deal is a partnership being driven forward by the Scottish Government, the UK Government and East, North and South Ayrshire Councils.
The Deal presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the economic prospects of the area and with confirmed funding now in place, work is getting underway.
The ambitions and projects detailed here form the foundation of our long-term plans to attract new businesses, support existing companies to expand, create more jobs and bring new opportunities to the area – all of which will benefit people and places right across Ayrshire.
Thanks to confirmed investment from both the UK and Scottish Governments – of £103 million each – with further funding of £45.5 million from the three Ayrshire Councils, Ayrshire now has the opportunity to realise the area’s potential and become a world-class business region for the aerospace and space, energy, marine, manufacturing and tourism industries.
This investment is expected to unlock private investment of around £300 million and deliver around 7,000 new jobs across a wide range of sectors, transforming the local economy for the benefit of all our people and places.
Aerospace and Space
Positioning Ayrshire as one of the UK’s leading centres of Aerospace and Space activity
Economic Infrastructure
Creating conditions for economic growth, job creation and skills development across Ayrshire
Energy, Environment & the Circular Economy
Supporting innovation and development in energy storage and low carbon energy options in Ayrshire communities
Communities
Developing a Community Wealth Building approach to develop resilient, inclusive local economies across Ayrshire
Tourism
Enhancing the existing tourism offer to make Ayrshire a highly desirable place to visit and live, work and invest in
Ayrshire Growth Deal
Latest News
Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund supporting vital skills for business in the Region The £3.5 million Ayrshire Growth Deal project was launched at the end of October 2023 to help employers grow and develop their employees and increase skills for Ayrshire residents, linking them to growth sectors and employment opportunities. An aerospace engineering course will be starting in August 2025 as part of the innovative Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF) delivered by Ayrshire College who are recruiting for an aerospace engineering course that will help applicants gain essential skills for a fulfilling career in the aerospace industry The 12-week course at the Ayr Campus – which starts on 25 August 2025 – will provide hands-on training and valuable insights and experience of an industry that’s growing across Ayrshire. During the 12 weeks, participants will gain essential skills for a fulfilling career in aeronautical engineering and hands-on training and valuable insights and…
AMBITOUS plans to develop marine tourism in Cumbrae have taken a significant step forward. North Ayrshire Council has received confirmation that the Scottish Government support the principle of the development of a marina on the island, following the approval of an initial business case for the programme. The marina proposal is a key component of the Ayrshire Growth Deal and being supported by £9.5 million investment from the Scottish Government into a Marine Tourism Programme at the Isles of Cumbrae and Arran. Funding worth £4.5m has been allocated to the Millport Project. The local authority has now appointed Wallace Stone Consulting Civil Engineers as the marina project Principal and Integrated Design Team to develop the marina design, apply for permissions and consents and assess the environmental impact of the marina. The Cumbrae marina proposal has been enabled by the Millport Flood Protection Scheme rock armour breakwater that has created a…
New Digital Process Manufacturing Centre unlocks emerging technology for Scottish industry A new centre designed to support process manufacturing industries with next-generation technologies was officially opened in North Ayrshire today (27 February 2025), fuelling economic growth and helping to position the region as a leader in smart manufacturing and digital skills. The Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DMPC) is part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and will give process manufacturing businesses access to digital and data driven manufacturing expertise, enabling them to innovate and adopt new technology in a low-risk environment. Artificial intelligence, robotics, digital data management, and virtual and augmented reality are among the tools that will be available to trial at the centre. The DPMC facility is funded in part through the £251 million Ayrshire Growth Deal, which includes £103 million from UK Government, a further £103 million from Scottish Government and £45.5 million from Council partners,…
Work starts on Great Harbour Growth Deal project WORK on the ambitious project that is set to transform Irvine’s Harbourside area is officially underway. The £14 million Ayrshire Growth Deal investment in the area has kicked off with work on the first phase now started. The project is being supported with £9 million from the Scottish Government. The ‘Great Harbour’ is a key component of the £251m Ayrshire Growth Deal and one of the most ambitious and transformational regeneration tourism proposals for the region. Contractors McLauglin Construction are carrying out the first phase works – called the ‘Coastal Hub’ – which will include the development of a themed regional playpark. A skatepark is also being constructed, while there will be repairs to the Pilot House building and new landscaped park setting that reflects the coastal location, improved active travel connections and the re-lining of the Beach Drive car park to…