Scottish Enterprise unveils £12.3m RSA jobs boost

Over 1,370 jobs are to be created or safeguarded in Scotland thanks to £12.3 million of Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) funding from Scottish Enterprise accepted over the last three months, according to a report published today.

The Scottish Enterprise report on RSA grants accepted between October and December 2010, shows that funding was accepted by 28 businesses to create 1,245 jobs and safeguard a further 128.

This included 200 planned jobs by online retailer Amazon thanks to the support of a £750,000 award to expand its customer fulfilment and distribution centre in Gourock.

A number of RSA awards were made to the creative industry sector with four companies accepting a collective £518,000 of funding to create or safeguard 51 jobs. Companies set to benefit include RTRP Limited, ThinkAnalytics Limited, 422.tv Media Limited and Ecosse Films Limited.

The Scottish manufacturing industry was also a large beneficiary with businesses awarded a total of £1.85 million to create 152 new jobs and safeguard a further 73. Companies including Lorimer Manufacturing Limited in Fife, WBS Keillor Limited in Tayside and Link Cable Assemblies Limited in Lanarkshire will benefit.

Lena Wilson, chief executive, Scottish Enterprise, said: “The RSA awards help to encourage both indigenous and foreign companies to invest in Scotland, creating a stronger, more globally competitive economy.

“I am particularly pleased to see a high number of creative industries companies in these latest results. This is one of a number of sectors where Scotland has been identified as having an existing competitive advantage and world class capabilities.

“By creating the right environment for companies to grow their businesses in Scotland we can further raise Scotland’s reputation as a key player in the international marketplace and in doing so can successfully create and safeguard jobs for our economy.”

Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: “The creation of more than 1,200 jobs supported by RSA follow the latest employment figures for Scotland, which present a strengthening economic picture and further signs of economic recovery.

“Companies such as Amazon are embarking on significant job creation projects, while it is encouraging to see backing for a number of manufacturing and creative industry ventures.

“We will continue doing all we can through our Economic Recovery Plan to support employment and the economy. But Westminster’s cuts threaten all the positive signs we are seeing, underlining the urgent need for Scotland to secure full economic and financial powers to sustain growth and put Scotland on the path to long-term economic success.”

The full RSA Quarter 3 report can be accessed at: http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/fund-your-business/rsa/rsa-quarterly-reports.aspx