Supported by key initiatives including the Moray Growth Deal, the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the Elgin Long Term Town Plan, and Town Centre Improvement Plans across the region, the council is committed to working with partners to deliver sustainable growth and create a vibrant future for Moray.

These initiatives collectively represent a multi-million pound investment in the region, ensuring that Moray’s communities benefit from improved infrastructure, revitalised town centres and increased opportunities for residents and businesses.

The Moray Growth Deal, a partnership between the UK and Scottish Governments and Moray Council, represents a £100 million investment in the region. This strategic initiative supports projects designed to boost key sectors such as education, tourism and manufacturing. Currently, six out of the deals eight projects are in delivery.

The eight projects are:

• Bus Revolution, m.connect on demand public transport services: An innovative project designed to boost transport use in rural Moray, funded by £4m from the Scottish Government and £300,000 from Moray Council.
• Business Enterprise Hub: A collaborative space for business innovation and education, led by UHI Moray and funded by the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
• Cultural Quarter: A £22.1m project transforming the region’s cultural attractions, backed by multiple partners including the Scottish Government (£12.7m); UK Government (£3.5m), Moray Council (£3.9m); and HIE (£2m).
• Digital Health: A project with £5m investment from the UK Government to support the remobilisation of health and care services in Moray.
• Early Years STEM: Will provide Moray with specialist STEM facilities, learning environments, and training for classroom-based STEM learning, funded by £3.5m from the Scottish Government and £1.3m from Moray Council.
• Housing Mix Delivery: Funded by £5m from the Scottish Government and £2.5m from Moray Council, the project supports the delivery of affordable houses and plots; short-term construction jobs; and the provision of housing in rural towns and villages.
  Skills and innovation intervention, formerly the MAATIC project: Workshops have been progressing to determine a skills and intervention project.
• Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM): Building on the area’s manufacturing strengths by providing a hub for support and advice to companies locally and across the Highlands and Islands. Investment is in place from the Scottish Government (£1.86m), UK Government (£2.4m), and HIE (£2.5m).

Moray has also secured £18.3m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund towards delivery of projects to support the Elgin City Centre Masterplan. The fund aims to improve local infrastructure, support jobs and create opportunities across the region.

Projects include:

• The South Street regeneration project, which will deliver the Business Enterprise Hub, 38 affordable homes, and three small retail units. Ground clearance on the site began in January 2025.
• The re-imagining of Cooper Park, including accessible walkways, biodiversity planting, new seating, a revived pond area, new toilets and a small café. These enhancements are set to make Cooper Park a key destination for families, offering a wide range of activities and experiences.
• Supporting the development on the former Sawmill site, located near Linkwood Road, by addressing flooding and access constraints.
• Redevelopment of the former Gordon Arms Hotel, to provide a creative arts centre and pop-up retail and office space.
• Traffic control measures, to support the existing pedestrianised areas in the town centre, which will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and enable outdoor dining, where appropriate.
• Creation of a north-south active travel link through the town centre, from the A96 to Edgar Road, by reallocating road space to pedestrians and cyclists.Additionally, the

Elgin Long Term Town Plan (LTTP) will provide £20m of endowment-style funding over 10 years from 2026/27 to deliver projects under the three key themes:

• Safety and Security: Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour to ensure local areas and businesses can thrive.
• Transport and Connectivity: Improving transport connectivity so that residents can access high streets, jobs, and local shopping centres with ease.
• High streets, Heritage and Regeneration: Enhance town centres to ensure they remain the beating heart of our towns and offer opportunities to local people.

Public input on these themes through a Call for Ideas shaped the Elgin LTTP investment prospectus, which was submitted to the UK Government for final approval in August 2024. Funding from the Elgin LTTP is still to be confirmed as the investment prospectus is revised.

A series of Town Centre Improvement Plans (TCIP’s) are providing a framework for investment and attracting external funding to address common issues across many town centres in Moray. TCIP’s have been prepared for Aberlour, Buckie Dufftown, Forres, Keith, Lossiemouth.

Moray Council Leader, Councillor Kathleen Robertson, said: “At a time when economic challenges across Moray may seem like the only news there is, it’s important to recognise the significant progress we’re making in regenerating the region. Our efforts aim to ensure that our communities can thrive, and our economy is resilient. Working collaboratively with our partners and communities is key to this success, and we’re excited to see the positive changes these investments will bring.”

Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Councillor Marc Macrae, added: “The scale of the work we’re undertaking reflects our ambition for Moray. Whether it’s providing new affordable housing, enhancing transport links, or revitalising our town centres, these projects will breathe new life and create opportunities throughout the whole of Moray.”

Elgin Town Board chair, Jenny Urquhart, commented: “These regeneration projects reflect our commitment to ensuring Elgin, and Moray as a whole, remains a dynamic and attractive place to live, work, and visit. By revitalising key areas and improving infrastructure, we’re building a stronger, more connected community that will serve residents and visitors for generations to come.”

Moray Chamber of Commerce director and chief executive officer, Sarah Medcraf, said: “Moray is already a great place to live, but these projects will be transformational and unlocks new potential that match our ambition. The range of investment from safety to transport, to young people and innovation, will all add to Moray being on the map, and contribute towards us being known as a really great place to live, work, visit, study and do business.”

Elgin BID manager, Angela Norrie, said: “As Elgin continues to evolve, this coordinated regeneration programme marks a pivotal moment in shaping the town’s future. The scale of investment across key projects demonstrates a clear commitment to making Elgin a more dynamic, accessible, and prosperous place to live, work, and visit.

“Elgin BID welcomes the significant focus on town centre improvements, particularly those that enhance infrastructure, support local businesses, and improve the visitor experience. The initiatives outlined—ranging from revitalising key sites to strengthening transport links—will help ensure that Elgin remains a thriving hub for commerce and community life.

“We look forward to working closely with Moray Council and our partners to maximise the impact of these developments and to ensure that local businesses benefit from the opportunities they bring. By investing in our town’s heritage, connectivity, and economy, we are collectively driving forward a vision that will secure long-term prosperity for Elgin and the wider region.”