The Enterprise Centre has already created over 40 job opportunities for the local community. It is expected 50 more will be created over the next three years.

The opening of the new Centre marks a significant milestone in the success story of New Start Highland. Formed in 1999, this social enterprise began life by seeking to achieve the dual social benefits of waste diversion and social inclusion while providing practical assistance to vulnerable people. However, the organisation’s subsequent growth and expansion into new areas such as furniture re-use, housing support, training for unemployed people, painting/ decorating, removals, and bike recycling and training, has required the company to find additional space to accommodate this growth.

Located next to New Start’s existing premises in Carsegate Industrial Estate, the new Centre offers meeting and training facilities; three self contained starter units for other businesses; space for the ongoing development of New Start including warehouse and office accommodation; and an environment where support can be offered to other enterprises in the Highlands using New Start’s track record and support.

The Centre has been funded through an investment from Social Investment Scotland, as well as from HIE, the Highland Housing Alliance Charities Trust and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

 At today’s opening of the Centre, Fergus Ewing MSP, the Scottish Government’s minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, unveiled a plaque and enjoyed a tour of the new facilities.

James Dunbar, chief executive of New Start Highland, said: The completion of our new Enterprise Centre highlights the enterprising future for New Start Highland, one of the few carbon negative organisations in Scotland.

It represents the culmination of three years of work. More importantly, it reflects our ambitions to create a centre of excellence from which our wide range of services can be delivered and where many of our partner organisations can come together with us to share in best practice and develop common ground.

The purpose of the Enterprise Centre is to generate growth. It will increase what New Start Highland can offer individuals and greatly enhance the operating efficiency of the other enterprises that use the Centre. In spite of a challenging economic climate the development of the Centre has already facilitated the creation of over 40 new jobs. We also plan to create an additional 50 new jobs over the next three years.

Income generated from the Centre leads us towards our ambition to become self sufficient, free from future grant funding.

Chief executive of Social Investment Scotland, Alastair Davis, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to support New Start Highland in the construction of this new Centre. The organisation has demonstrated an impressive level of growth since its formation and this new facility will help them deliver more services to more people who need them. I’m looking forward to following New Start’s progress as it continues to demonstrate a positive social impact by diverting waste from landfill and tackling social exclusion.”