Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) and Orkney Islands Council (OIC) have announced £2.8 million in funding to support the second phase of development at the Orkney Research and Innovation Campus (ORIC).

ORIC is a joint venture by HIE and OIC to support research and innovation activity in Orkney, as well as the expansion of companies working across the marine renewables, energy and low carbon sector.

The 3.75-acre ORIC campus is based in the refurbished former Stromness Academy and Primary School.

Currently, around 160 people already work or study at the facilities. The second phase is expected to create an additional 165 jobs over the next ten years.

According to HIE, the funding boost will help enhance existing facilities and create new spaces to enable more academic and commercial activity, collaboration, and business incubation.

In addition, new co-working spaces will be created to support small and growing businesses. A number of energy efficiency improvements will also be made across the campus with the aim of achieving net zero operations.

John McGlynn, executive manager at ORIC said the support will help “keep up the momentum” from the first phase of development work at the campus.

He said: “This funding, along with the funding contribution from the Islands Growth Deal, will allow continued modernisation of the campus to ensure that our existing and future campus organisations have the facilities they need to thrive.”

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This development project forms part of a wider investment programme through the Islands Growth Deal.

The ten-year investment programme is jointly funded by the UK and Scottish Governments and aims to drive economic growth in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.

Along with the HIE and OIC funding, the second phase of the ORIC project will also be supported with funding of up to £8m from the UK Government.

Graeme Harrison, area manager for HIE in Orkney said: “ORIC plays such an important role in supporting the growth of existing research and innovation activity and the expansion of companies in Orkney’s marine renewables, energy and low carbon sector.

“This significant investment will support the growth of existing businesses and the creation of new ones.”

Harrison said the investment will enable Orkney to “attract and retain young people” looking to live, work or study on the island.

He added: “This is a project of great significance for Stromness and our islands as a whole.”

OIC leader James Stockan said: “It’s great to pass this significant milestone and in doing so it’s important we acknowledge the effort that’s been put in by academia and business over the years here in Stromness.

“This project would not be happening were it not for their dedication and passion to make a difference. We look forward to seeing the campus and go from strength to strength.”

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