Rachael Hamilton MSP has encouraged Borders towns to apply for new funding to support their high streets and town centres.
The £1 million Scotland Loves Local Fund aims to empower communities by enabling local delivery, and giving them support and guidance to help them achieve aims important to them.
The Scotland Loves Local Fund will provide grants of between £500 and £5,000.
The fund encourages communities to ‘love local’, recognise the importance of their local areas, and actively engage in and develop them.
The fund will offer support to help towns and villages to provide additional information for tourists, implement social distancing measures, support marketing and purchase street furniture.
Applications for the fund are open from Sunday 18th October, and close at 5pm on Wednesday 25th November.
Mrs Hamilton is encouraging local groups to apply, following a successful launch of ‘Scotland Loves Local’ in Jedburgh several weeks ago.
When meeting traders in Jedburgh, she stressed the importance of buying locally and supporting our high streets during these challenging times.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“I would encourage all Borders towns to apply for the Scotland Loves Local fund, as it will provide a much needed boost at this time.
“Our high streets and town centres need support now more than ever, and I am glad there is new funding to help towns implement measures to encourage footfall whilst protecting safety.
“At the launch of Jedburgh’s ‘Scotland Loves Local’ day, I was so impressed by the enthusiasm and the drive to promote Jedburgh’s high street.
“High streets and town centres are the backbone of our communities; I would encourage everyone to buy local, especially during these difficult times”.