Funding Award for Experience Huntly Project
By Experience Huntly on 08/02/2022
Huntly and district communities and businesses are to benefit from continued promotion of the local area through newly secured funding.
Huntly Business Association has been awarded £35,600 by Foundation Scotland from the Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund established by wind farm owner Vattenfall.
The funding will enable the continuation of Experience Huntly, a project first launched in 2020 using funds from Aberdeenshire Council’s Phoenix Fund to promote the local area following the Covid lockdown periods.
The recent award from Vattenfall’s Clashindarroch Fund will further support the project over the next three years. Funds will cover maintenance and hosting costs for the Experience Huntly website and app, the services of project marketing manager Vivien Rae, as well as associated marketing material costs.
Ms Rae, a freelance marketing and PR professional, commented, “I am delighted to be able to continue working within the Experience Huntly project. The project has already achieved significant engagement and deliverables, and this new funding award allows us to continue our plans to further develop this. We will continue to promote Huntly through digital platforms, and work with local businesses to support their participation in national shop local campaigns, including Totally Locally’s Fiver Fest, as well as their engagement with local events including the Huntly Hairst. As Covid restrictions continue to ease, we hope to capitalise on the desire for travel and tourism, and firmly place Huntly as a destination of choice.”
Helen Kings, Treasurer of Huntly Business Association added, “It is terrific that we have secured this funding to continue promoting the town through Experience Huntly. Huntly Business Association operates primarily for the benefit of the business community, however a thriving business community and town centre is also attractive to the local community and visitors, so our efforts have far wider benefits. The funding will allow us to continue the excellent work already carried out to date and to further promote the businesses and offerings of Huntly and surrounding areas.”
Vattenfall’s Clashindarroch wind farm near Huntly operates 18 turbines, with the company providing a community fund of £185,000 per annum (index linked) from 2015 and for the life of the wind farm. The fund is managed by grant-making charity Foundation Scotland. Grants can support a wide range of inspirational, community-led activity that provides lasting impact in Huntly & District, Strathbogie, Tap O Noth and The Cabrach. The next deadline for grant applications is 2 May 2022.
Commenting on the successful award to Huntly Business Association, Pete Kunz, Vattenfall’s Service Leader for the Clashindarroch Wind Farm, said, “We are delighted to support such an important town centre project, encouraging people to buy and shop local is close to our hearts and we support any effort to help promote such a vibrant town.”
For more information about Experience Huntly and to get involved in the project, contact Vivien at info@experiencehuntly.com
Businesses keen to learn more about Huntly Business Association and its membership can contact Ellie Turner at hba@huntlyba.org
For more information about Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund visit:
https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/clashindarroch or contact Tom Black at tom@foundationscotland.org.uk