Stirling Council is investing almost £90,000 in three superfast broadband projects as it continues to make significant progress in transforming the connectivity of rural communities.

Trossachs Community Trust will receive £50,000 to design, build and operate a mixture of wireless and whitespace technology which will provide 30 businesses and 72 properties with world class connectivity.

Carron Valley and District Community Council have been awarded £30,000 to build and operate a fixed wireless network, allowing 17 businesses and 48 premises access to the digital technology.

Meanwhile, the Auchenteck group will use £8,750 of funding for a community partnership project, bringing a full fibre solution to eight households.

Backed by £300,000 of annual capital funding, the local authority is supporting rural communities in the development of alternative broadband solutions, boosting economic growth and allowing residents access to vital services.

One Full Time Equivalent Rural Broadband Project Officer, supported by the Council and the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER programme, is also in place until March 2020, to provide technical, project and funding support to communities.

Across Stirling, there are 18 innovative schemes at various stages of completion. Three projects have gone live - Balquhidder, Argarty & Kilbryde, and Stockiemuir - enabling 250 households and 60 businesses to benefit from the technology.

Free public Wi-Fi in Aberfoyle town centre is also now up and running, benefiting businesses, communities and visitors in the area.

Stuart Oliver, Senior Manager Economic Development, Culture and Tourism at Stirling Council, said: "Working in partnership with communities, we are supporting projects across rural Stirling to ensure the sustainable growth and development of our rural economy, which is a key Council priority.


"Improved digital connectivity is life-changing for rural businesses and residents, and it's fantastic to see more people getting access to this key infrastructure and more initiatives moving forward.

"We will continue to support our communities in obtaining fast and reliable broadband and press on with delivery on a range of other projects to develop the rural economy."

Elsewhere, broadband initiatives in Blairlogie and Gartness are at design stage, while Stronachlachar and East Loch Lomond are set to test 4G and whitespace technologies.

The local authority is also supporting seven other communities in exploring solutions – Ardeonaig, Arnprior, Crainlarich, Fintry, Inversnaid, Kinlochard and Tyndrum.

The success of the Balquhidder project has earned it national recognition with two major accolades - the Transport and Infrastructure accolade at the 2018 Scottish Rural Innovators Awards, and the best UK community project prize from the Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA).

Cllr Margaret Brisley, Convener of the Finance and Economy Committee, said: "I am delighted that more rural broadband projects are moving forward and following the example of other communities across the Stirling area.

"This investment is another sign of our commitment to address the gaps in the broadband provision in remote areas and get more people connected."

Cllr Alison Laurie, Vice Convener of the Committee, said: "Having access to super-fast broadband helps support sustainable communities and economic growth and this is why we are determined to support communities in these various initiatives.

"We have already had some great success stories in rural Stirling with these types of broadband projects, and I am pleased that three more communities will soon be able to reap the benefits of this digital technology."

Councillors were updated on the progress of digital and mobile investment in remote areas at a recent meeting of the Finance and Economy Committee during a discussion on The Stirling Rural Development Action Plan.

Members heard a range of other measures are being taken to boost the rural economy, which include:

• Delivering business and digital hubs in key rural locations, with one successfully up and running in Aberfoyle and two more expected to be completed in Balfron and Drymen by June 2019.

• The Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER programme, which has allocated £1.3 million to 41 rural projects

• Business support through Gateway and the European Regional Development Fund programme

• The Crowdfunding Stirling initiative which provide an alternative way of raising finance for rural communities and businesses

• A new Tourism and Events Plan

• The Explore Stirling app, which was launched in 2018

• Supporting rural tourism infrastructure projects such as the Callander Landscape Partnership

• Jointly funding a post to help grow the food and drink sector

• Supporting events in rural areas with a focus on attracting visitors, including the Killearn Children's Book Festival.