Emergency One, the UK’s leading manufacturer of specialist fire and rescue service appliances, has received a funding boost for 12 trade apprentices.

The £72k cheque from The 9CC Group is the latest phase of a pioneering four-year £1.5 million investment in young Cumnock & Doon Valley residents, taking the current total to 20.

The apprenticeships initiative has been seed funded by an advance payment of £120K community benefit following an agreement negotiated by the 9CCG which co-ordinates windfarm benefit for nine East Ayrshire communities.

The investment generated almost £900K in match funding from Emergency One and significant support costs from East Ayrshire Council’s Economic Development Service, and has seen the group launch the apprenticeship programme in summer 2024.

A FURTHER boost to apprentices in the Cumnock and Doon Valley area has been taken forward thanks to wind farm benefits.

A pioneering five-year project to fund apprenticeships in Cumnock and Doon Valley has been backed by the 9CC Group, and will support the employment of 150 new apprenticeships for local young people.

The latest Strategic Area Fund for Apprenticeships was approved by all nine communities represented by The 9CC Group: Auchinleck; Cumnock; Dalmellington; Drongan, Rankinston and Stair; Logan, Lugar and Cronberry; New Cumnock; Netherthird; Ochiltree and Skares; and Patna.

A HISTORY of vintage vehicles in Cumnock has been boosted by support from wind farm community benefits.

Cumnock Heritage Centre holds a massive collection of old vehicles, offering the perfect chance to reminisce or learn something new about what used to be on the roads.

The centre was the brainchild of Jim Smith, who had built up an impressive collection of vintage vehicles and memorabilia from over the years.

GROUPS across Cumnock and Doon Valley have applied for a total of £700,000 in community benefits.

More than 90 groups across the area applied in response to the third funding round of wind farm community benefit being released by The 9CC Group.

Since the charity organisation was formed to collectively and collaboratively manage and administer grants from wind farm developers across the region, it has awarded almost £1m and secured an addition £1.9m in match funding.

A major windfarm developer has urged Cumnock and Doon Valley communities to work together to deliver change and make a real difference.

Delivering a keynote address to the inaugural 9CCG conference on building community wealth, Iain Cockburn, director of Brockwell Energy said: “I would urge everyone not just to look at the incredible opportunity this wall of money creates to deliver legacy change – but to look at the challenge of delivering this in practice.

The 9CC chief operating officer, Stephen McCarron, told delegates at the event in Cumnock that the group would be investing in two major strategic projects, with many others under active consideration.

He said: “I’m delighted to announce that the 9CC Group trustees have approved the funding and enablement of an Outdoor Activity and Recreation Centre as well as funding for up to 40 new and additional apprenticeships.”

His Royal Highness King Charles has sent a message of support for a special conference exploring strategies to make Cumnock and Doon Valley a better place to live, work, play and visit.

The King told the audience in Cumnock that he was well aware of the work of event organisers The 9CC Group and their potential impact improving the quality of life for residents and limitless opportunities, particularly for future generations.

Director of the Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities, University of Strathclyde, Matt Hannon, warned delegates at the inaugural 9CCG conference on Building Community Wealth from Strategic Collaboration that research highlights a ‘growing sense that climate action is failing to empower communities’.

Communities across Cumnock and Doon Valley were encouraged by the UK’s Energy Minister to invest in a better future and create long term benefits for everyone.

 Michael Shanks MP congratulated The 9CC Group on holding their inaugural conference to explore ideas to build a positive legacy for the former coal mining communities. He told more than 100 delegates in Cumnock it was inspiring seeing communities coming together to build something lasting.

The 9CC Group has announced the launch of the next round of community funding, with more than £350,000 to be invested across Cumnock and Doon Valley.

Speaking at an inaugural community benefit conference in Cumnock, Alex Baird, chair of The 9CC Group, said the funds are being provided by developers in advance of their regulatory obligations and wind turbines being fully operational.

He told more than 100 delegates: “That’s a commitment to our communities based on the strength of the relationship with the 9CC and their trust and confidence in us to deliver fairly and equitably for ALL our communities.