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Scottish Enterprise has provided a grant of £3.2 million to build an industrial park to support the Port of Montrose.

The funding will be part of a £7.2 million investment in the Montrose Port Industrial Park – two miles from the site – which will focus on growing the offshore wind sector in the area.

Montrose Port Authority acquired Montrose Commercial Park last year, for an undisclosed multi-million-pound sum from Equipco Investments Ltd.

The Forties Road site is formerly home to Petrofac’s fire safety training facility and the now-demolished Charleton House, which used to function as a maternity hospital.

Tom Hutchison, chief executive of Montrose Port Authority, has previously outlined hopes for the port to support 1,000 jobs and described the land deal as a “landmark expansion”.

He said the latest investment from Scottish Enterprise “reinforces Montrose’s position at the forefront of Scotland’s energy transition”.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland’s offshore wind sector is creating significant opportunities, delivering jobs and attracting major investment across the country.

“The Scottish Government has made it clear that Scotland is open for business and we are working closely with Scottish Enterprise and public sector partners to maximise investment and drive growth in the sector.

“The Port of Montrose is a key sector in supporting Scotland’s offshore wind industry.

“This investment is the latest in a series of strategic commitments we have made to unlock new opportunities and secure Scotland’s future as a renewables powerhouse.”

Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie added: “The expansion of Montrose Port is hugely important to providing new infrastructure and space to support the continued growth of the offshore wind sector.

“Montrose Port Authority has exciting plans for the future and we are pleased to back that kind of ambition which will attract further investment into Scotland’s economy.”

The 45-acre site, which neighbours companies like Halliburton and Baker Hughes in the town, will “play a crucial role in Scotland’s energy transition”, the port authority’s website said.

Montrose Port was named SME Port of the Year at the 2024 British Ports Association Awards.

This article appeared in The Courier on 15 March 2025.