Priority 9: Economic Development
The economy of the National Park is strong, business confidence is high and there is a good degree of networking and collaboration between businesses thanks to the work of the Cairngorms Business Partnership
While the National Park’s economy is strong, business development in the does face challenges – for example, the limited access to high speed broadband and mobile communications services, both of which have become essential requirements for most businesses. Although the availability of high speed broadband has improved substantially in many of the most populated areas, there are still areas of the National Park with poor or no access.
Areas that are likely to benefit from the Cairngorms Community Broadband project
40 – 60 properties 
20 – 40 properties 
0 – 20 properties
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. © NRS, Community Broadband Scotland.
The proposed project area in the map above is indicative and subject to further review during 2017. The final coverage of the project will be determined through a competitive tendering process that is likely to conclude in early 2018.
Agenda for Action
Partners will deliver the current Economic Strategy for the Park to 2018 and then review, focussing on action plans for key business sectors:
- Developing sector-specific plans (eg forestry, food and drink) to tackle investment, enhance skills through stronger links with higher and further education, improve long-term resilience and increase average wages, as well as building business on the natural capital of the National Park;
- Supporting Cairngorms Community Broadband to deliver superfast broadband in the hardest to reach parts of the Park;
- Continuing to improve physical infrastructure, including access to affordable housing and digital connectivity;
- Maximising the opportunities for businesses, communities and visitors from the A9 dualling project;
- Review implications and options for the arming sector as changes in long-term support become clearer;
- Using the next Local Development Plan (LDP) to identifying new sites for business use and expansion and the delivery of the LDP to target investment that opens up hose sites to business.
