THE ribbon has been cut on a state-of-the-art training and enterprise hub designed to boost the economic prospects of a former coal mining community in Scotland.

The £500,000 hub in Kincardine, Fife, is a “game-changing moment” for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT), which, for almost 20 years, has been supporting half-a-million people who live in Scotland’s coalfield communities.

The CRT invested £250,000 to buy and renovate the former Clydesdale Bank building in Kincardine, with Fife Council and the Scottish Government providing matched funding from the Local Economic Development Capital Stimulus Grant Fund, supported by the Longannet Task Force.

The Coalfields Training and Enterprise Hub will, from Spring this year, serve as a business support and enterprise site for Fife Council and Business Gateway Fife. The council and partners to deliver a range of economic development services, including events and training.

CRT Scotland’s 10-strong staff, who are now are now based in the facility, work to mitigate the devastating loss of jobs from the closure of Kincardine Power Station, and continue to provide capacity building support in the 89 coalfield communities across central Scotland.

Bob Young, Scottish trustee of the CRT, said: “This really is a game-changing moment for the CRT in Scotland. For the first time ever we have a permanent home of our own, and that sends out the message, loud and clear, that the CRT is here to stay in Scotland.

“I want to make it crystal clear that no one in any of Scotland’s Coalfields Communities will be left behind. On the contrary, our new training and enterprise hub with its custom built facilities, will enable us to deliver an even better service across the Scottish coalfields.”

Scottish Government Business Minister, Jamie Hepburn, added: “I am delighted that the Kincardine Training and Enterprise Hub is now open for business.

“This facility, part funded through the Scottish Government’s Local Economic Development Capital Grant Fund, will be an excellent asset to enterprising individuals, start-ups and businesses with growth aspirations.

“It will also provide the enterprise hub’s tenants with access to a modern facility that will encourage collaboration, networking and business growth.”