Councillors award over £137,000 Inverness Common Good funds for local projects
Three organisations have been awarded a total £137,240 Inverness Common Good funds by Members of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee for local projects to aid community well-being and economic recovery of Inverness.
Inverness BID has been awarded £91,113 for partnership working with the local authority and other organisations for providing floral displays in Inverness (£61,100); delivering the multi-agency ‘Operation Respect’ programme (£9,113), Inverness Gull Project (£11,200) and Inverness Community Safety Partnership (£9,700).
To help the tourism sector recover in the area – Visit Inverness Loch Ness was awarded £30,000 to enable a 2-year marketing project commencing in March 2021 and running till February 2023. The organisation will run a targeted virtual media marketing programme using social media, websites and a range of digital platforms.
Key sites and visitor focal points within the city business improvement district area such as the Victorian Market, Falcon Square, and Eastgate Centre will be included, along with key tourism and hospitality businesses that will impact the economic recovery of Inverness.
High Life Highland’s Inverness Botanic Gardens were also awarded £16,127 towards their innovative “Apples for All - Ubhlan dha na h-uile” project at Bught Apple Park.
This project will create a community orchard around and within the perimeter of Inverness Botanic Gardens by planting a mix of Scottish heritage apple, plum and pear trees.
Apples for All will be maintained and developed by Inverness Botanic Gardens, The Grow Project (adults with learning disabilities) volunteers, and community groups and schools will be invited to get involved.
The aim of the project is to promote local, sustainable and healthy eating. Access to gardens for people who don’t have any and to provide healthy living opportunities and skills for the Grow Project members, local young people and community volunteers.
In addition to planting and garden maintenance of the orchard the purchase of an apple press will facilitate seasonal activities such as community juice-making sessions.