Up to 400 jobs could be created in Kirkcaldy following the refurbishment of one of the town’s largest office spaces.
The Scottish Government announced that £300,000 will be granted to renovate Iona House as part of the latest round of funding to help boost employment in the region.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced a total of £670,000 would be spent on three projects in central Fife aimed at mitigating recent job losses in the area.
He joined fellow co-chairman of the Fife Taskforce, council leader David Ross, for the announcement, part of a wider £6 million project to stabilise employment in the wake of recent high-profile redundancies.
In a joint statement, Mr Swinney and Mr Ross said: “The taskforce’s focus is on action that continues to assist people, business and communities affected by job losses in central Fife.
“Supported by £6 million from the Scottish Government, initiatives set out in the Taskforce Action Plan will help deliver economic growth in the Glenrothes area and central Fife.
“Delivering against these actions is key for us, and this announcement demonstrates that we are getting appropriate, most needed help and support in place as quickly as possible.
“We would like to recognise the continued efforts not only of the public sector agencies involved, but also of the private sector that has also done all it can to help offer jobs and opportunities to those made redundant.”
Established in the aftermath of the closure of Glenrothes papermaker Tullis Russell earlier this year, the Fife Taskforce announced funding for three local projects.
Iona House part of the John Smith Business Park will be repaired, refurbished and sub-divided at a cost of £300,000 to be made more attractive for businesses.
Business Gateway Fife’s business growth programme is to receive £270,000 to increase its capacity, while a further £100,000 has been awarded to a business accelerator programme to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the area.
“There is work to be done and opportunity to be created,” added Mr Ross and Mr Swinney. “The taskforce has a specific vision and an immediate plan of action to support workers and use the £6 million we have provided to support the local community and the wider Fife economy.”