Stewart Maxwell MSP has welcomed news that Neilston Development Trust will benefit from a £2.5m Scottish Government regeneration fund.

More than 40 community organisations around Scotland will receive a share of the Strengthening Communities Programme fund to help communities lead economic and regeneration work in their areas.

The Scottish Community Development Centre provides investment to enterprising community organisations that have the potential to become more self-sustaining and established.

Commenting, Stewart Maxwell MSP said: “I’m delighted that Neilston Development Trust will benefit from this Scottish Government funding – investment designed to help the community of Neilston become more resilient, take ownership and control of their own area by generating income through entrepreneurial ideas for the town.

“One shining example of the outstanding work of the trust was the purchase and subsequent renovation of the Neilston Bank. Not only is the Bank home to the Neilston Development Trust it also has a café operating five days a week and is host to a wide range of services and activities that are available to the community.

“By increasing the Scottish Government investment this year we are able to give more communities the opportunity to take forward improvements to their area, on their own terms. This investment will help enterprising community groups become anchor organisations in their local areas.

“This funding supports the aims of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act which comes into effect this year and is a great step forward in our drive to increase participation in local decision making.”