Impact Hub Inverness worked with Harris Development Limited to draw up and prepare a business plan for a new project.  We worked with Harris Development Limited through the Just Enterprise programme, where they were able to access free business support.

Here's what Kenny MacLeod from Harris Development Limited had to say about working with Impact Hub Inverness!

Tell us a little bit about the organisation
"Harris Development Ltd is a community organisation that takes on projects for the economic social and cultural benefit of Harris. HDL has been in existence for over 20 years and has a proven track record in delivering large scale projects.  The very successful North Harris Trust was set up by HDL.  More recently we have developed a two site community marina in East Loch Tarbert – at Scalpay and Tarbert itself.  This £1.4M project has brought increased economic benefit to the whole community, beyond the income to the marina itself.  Increased footfall and spending in local businesses plus providing a facility that has enabled a number of new, marine tourism focused businneses to start up.  HDL also ran a successful Landscape Partnership Scheme a few years back.  This resulted in the publication of three different books on songs from the island, start-up training and support for up to 12 weavers and also funding for a much needed path to Eilean glas lighthouse that is now used by over 20,000 visitors pa." 

Why did the organisation apply for support through Just Enterprise?
"We work closely with HIE on all our projects and they suggested we have the Business Plan completed through Just Enterprise.  We had previously used this for the initial stages of the Seallam development and were very happy with the support we received from Impact Hub.  We were more than happy to work with them again on this important work."

What did the Just Enterprise support help the organisation with?
"The completion of the Business plan means we can now move forward significantly by going for SLF Stage 1 funding support and also reinforces our belief that the project is a very viable on e and that it will provide significant community benefit"

What were the main things that happened as a result of the Just Enterprise support?
"We are now in the process of completing the SLF application with a hope for feasibility study and condition survey being supported and enabling us to complete the purchase of a valuable asset for the benefit of the community and allow is to develop the project further."

What are the organisation's plans for the future?
"Once we are able to purchase the property we will be looking to provide urgently needed housing for people looking to come to live here.  There is a huge shortage of workers to meet the demand in Harris and as such it will need people moving here to take up the jobs needing filled.  With this project we would hope to attract 6 families and also 4-6 single people to take up these jobs."

Is there anything else you would like to add?
" We had previously worked with Impact Hub and so knew we would get excellent support from an organisation that knew and understood the needs of our community.  They worked quickly and kept us fully updated and included in all parts of the work, seeking and acting on input from ourselves to ensure it met our needs.  As a result we are now able to take this vital project to the next stage for the benefit of the whole community“