Transforming the Highland economy
The Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal is a £315 million investment programme designed to drive long-term economic growth, digital innovation, and inclusive development across the Highlands.
What the Deal will deliver
The City-Region Deal will:
- create over 1,000 direct jobs and 2,200 construction jobs
- support a high-skill, high-wage economy
- deliver 6,000 new homes, including 1,800 affordable homes
- attract £800 million in private investment over 20 years
- increase productivity and real wages by 1.3%, adding £100 million per year to the regional economy
- help retain or attract 1,500 young people (aged 18–29) over 10 years
Strategic themes
The Deal is structured around three key pillars:
A growing economy
- Support the commercialisation of medical technologies through a new clinical research and teaching centre at the University of the Highlands and Islands
- Deliver an innovative assisted living programme with UK-wide relevance
- Establish a North Innovation Hub to support business growth and internationalisation
- Develop Inverness Castle as a major visitor attraction and promote the Highlands as a global destination for adventure tourism
Enabling the economy
- Launch a Joint Digital Highland Action Plan to improve broadband and mobile coverage
- Improve transport connectivity through new roads that unlock land for housing and business
- Deliver 6,000 new homes, including 1,800 affordable homes
- Maintain and develop key air links to global hubs to complement digital infrastructure
A skilled economy
- Deliver the Science Skills Academy to promote STEM/D subjects through innovative learning
- Pilot a Highland Employability Programme to transform local employability services
Long-term impact
The City-Region Deal will position the Highlands as:
- a centre of excellence in rural and digital healthcare
- a region of digital opportunity
- a place where businesses grow, young people stay, and communities thrive
Download Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal annual reports and business cases