FABIANI HAILS 200TH EAST KILBRIDE JOB CREATED UNDER SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT GRANT SCHEME

· East Kilbride companies have received over £3.5 million from SNP Government
· 12 local employers have benefited
· 202 new jobs have been created and a further 167 existing jobs safeguarded
· Fabiani: East Kilbride employment is “major beneficiary” of grants scheme

East Kilbride firm Scientific Analysis Laboratories Ltd accepted a £160,000 Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant from the Scottish Government in the first quarter of 2009, helping to create 5 new jobs at the firm and safeguard 5 existing jobs.

It brings to £3,728,000 in total the financial assistance awarded to 12 East Kilbride-based employers since the Scottish Government was elected in May 2007. The funding has gone towards creating 202 new jobs in the town and safeguarding 167 existing ones.

Grants to East Kilbride companies have ranged in size from £35,000 to £1 million, and have gone to companies as diverse as Rolls Royce, pharmaceutical manufacturer Controlled Therapeutics, and decorative glass designer, Intaglio Glass & Design.

Commenting on today’s announcement by Finance Secretary, John Swinney, of the RSA grants accepted during the first quarter of 2009, Central Scotland MSP Linda Fabiani said:

“Today’s announcement by John Swinney of the twelfth East Kilbride firm to receive financial assistance in the past two years is incredibly welcome and a clear illustration of how this SNP government is investing for job creation and protection.

“East Kilbride has been a major beneficiary of the RSA scheme, receiving over 3 and a half million pounds to create 202 new local jobs and secure 167 existing ones. At least one East Kilbride firm has accepted an RSA grant in every quarter since the Scottish Government was elected.

“The impressive range of sectors which have been awarded financial assistance – from aero engine repair to cutting edge medical equipment to mezzanine floors – shows that the government is supporting businesses big and small.

“Every pound in financial assistance that the government has awarded has translated directly into a job in East Kilbride, making a real difference to the local economy and the ability of many local people and families to get through this recession”

· Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is the Scottish Government’s main national scheme of financial assistance to industry. It provides discretionary grants for investment projects that will create or safeguard jobs in Assisted Areas – areas designated for regional aid under European Community law.

· Payments of RSA are made in instalments, typically over several years, provided that job and project expenditure targets are met. The amounts quoted here and in the report represent the maximum grant potentially available if the project is satisfactorily completed, and not the amount actually paid to date. All job numbers are based on firms’ forecast figures at the time a grant is offered and are subject to change, depending on future economic conditions and other factors affecting the business concerned.

· The reports can be viewed at:

http://www.scottishbusinessgrants.gov.uk/rsa

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