Alness Initiative
The Alness Initiative was born out of a meeting in Alness in May 1995. It's purpose was to create a forum for the improvment of the Alness Area as:- A place to do business; create employment and develop business operations.
The idea was to be business led. This was, at the time, a period of high unemployment and lack of confidence in local businesses with a number of empty shop premises.
A meeting in July 1995 called by the Alness Business Association agreed that a body be set up and, to attempt to avoid controversy, that this body, while being business led, would also be representative of other Alness bodies. The membership was to be
-
3 Alness Business Association members
-
3 other business members
-
3 members from Alness Community Council
-
2 members from Alness Community Association
Local councillors were to be asked to attand as was a local RACE Director, council officials and RACE officials as demanded by the subject matter under discussion.
The first significant action came with a review of the current situation and the development of a shopping list for action and strengths. Some of the points raised were:
-
Initial provision of floral features (which have now been well and truly developed!).
-
Provision of an Alness Booklet with a business directory.
-
Link in with other Initiatives in the Moray Firth Area as part of the Northern Periphery Programme.
-
Attempt to encourage others to set up and develop businesses in Alness.
-
Creation of Alness Website and promotional CD-ROM.
Some Current Activities:
-
Footpath and Cycleway plans associated with Healthy Living and Safer Routes to School.
-
Co-ordination of the European funded Community Economic Development Partnership.
-
Supporting Environmental and Wildlife groups.
-
Crawl Park Renovation Project
-
Summer 'Homecoming' Event
-
Projects funded to date:
-
Kensal Community centre - extension
-
Alness Heritage Group - archiving equipment
-
Alness Community Association - digital copier/printer
-
Really Marvellous Entertainers - portable stage, sound and lighting system.
-
Alness Golf Club - funding for a Golf Professional
-
Averon Leisure Centre - refurbishment of soft play area/flooring and gym.
|
