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
Positioning Ayrshire as one of the UK’s leading centres of Aerospace 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
North and East Ayrshire Councils have launched a new Shared Economic Development Service, as part of a coordinated approach to delivering economic priorities across the region. The new shared service has been designed to support delivery of the Ayrshire Regional Economic Strategy, the Ayrshire Growth Deal, and future regional economic priorities. By working together, the councils are positioning Ayrshire more strongly to attract, secure and maximise future funding opportunities. The Shared Economic Development Service will bring together key economic functions including economic policy, business support, tourism, digital renewal and Ayrshire Growth Deal delivery. This collaborative approach will enhance strategic leadership, capacity and resilience, while reducing duplication and providing a more consistent, joined-up offer to businesses, communities and partners across Ayrshire’s economy. The new service will come into effect on 1 June 2026 and will be led by newly appointed Regional Economic Director, Louise Kirk, currently Head of Service for Economic…
East Ayrshire Council has launched a new vocation training programme as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal’s ambitions to upskill residents in Cumnock and Doon Valley, enabling them to access employment in the emerging electric vehicle and hydrogen automotive sector. The pilot project is a key component of the Community Renewable Energy project (CoRE) which will develop new skills pathways in creating a pipeline of skilled individuals aligned to the needs of local employers, who have identified a shortage of skills in this sector. The first of these training sessions took place this week at Emergency One in Cumnock, with nine mechanics from local garages working alongside staff from Emergency One to gain accredited EV qualifications. Further sessions are planned throughout March that would see as many as 30 local mechanics gaining much sought-after skills and qualifications in the high growth sustainable transport sector. Pupils from Robert Burns and Doon…
A state-of-the art new business space was officially marked as complete today (Tuesday) at one of Ayrshire’s major sites for business and industry – i3 in Irvine. The i3 Enterprise area, plays a key role in supporting economic growth, primarily through Ayrshire Growth Deal funding. Investment at the site is focused on delivering modern, flexible workspace to support local businesses, attract inward investment and create jobs. Councillor Tony Gurney, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, carried out duties to mark the completion of the first phase of the i3 Flexible project at the new premises on Tuesday. This new generation of industrial property is an 18,000 square feet unit with yard space that incorporates sustainable and low carbon components and features: The building has already been marketed for lease and the first tenant is expected to be confirmed soon. The building forms part of the i3 Advanced Manufacturing Flexible Space Programme…