Clackmannanshire's Economy
The economy of Clackmannanshire has undergone a massive restructuring following the gradual loss of three main industries – mining, textiles and brewing. However, as a result of this restructuring, Clackmannanshire can look forward with a great deal of optimism.
Economic Transformation
With the success of initiatives of the Council and its economic development partners (including Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, Forth Valley College and Clackmannanshire Enterprise), the area is being transformed dramatically and achieved the third highest economic growth rate in Scotland (7.1% from 2001 - 2006).
The employment base is no longer concentrated in the traditional sectors and, with high-quality business accommodation developments catering for all sizes of companies, Clackmannanshire has a growing number of small businesses.
Much of the infrastructure supporting this change has been financed in part by the European Union.
Stirling - Alloa - Kincardine Rail Link
The Stirling - Alloa - Kincardine route reopened in May 2008 and is one of the most important railway infrastructure projects Scotland has seen in decades. It is of critical importance to the regeneration of Alloa and Clackmannanshire in general.
Clackmannanshire Bridge
The Clackmannanshire Bridge, which opened in November 2008, provides the area with a link into the heart of the Scottish motorway network through its landfall at Gartarry.
In addition, the A907 Alloa-Stirling road has been upgraded and provides superior links to the west.
These major transportation projects will provide a further boost to the economy by increasing the accessibility of the area.
Challenges
There are still severe economic difficulties throughout the area, particularly in pockets such as South and East Alloa and Tullibody. Unemployment rates at 2.6% in April 2008 are higher than those for Forth Valley and Scotland, although the gap has been narrowing in recent years.
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Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Economic Development
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 727321 / 450000 Fax: 01259 727301
Email: clacksweb@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form
