Construction of a new industrial estate to support the regeneration of a Moray port is expected to be completed this week.
The £1.7million Rathven development in Buckie has been designed to boost businesses in the east of the region as well as firms using the town’s harbour.
The first phase of the site covers 27 acres with a further 22 acres available if expansion is warranted in the future.
A warehouse has already been approved for the estate, while three acres are currently under offer and another three parties have expressed an interest in taking other plots.
Companies involved in the growing offshore wind energy market have been earmarked as ideal firms for the site, which is close to both the A98 Buckie to Fraserburgh road and the harbour.
John Cowe, chairman of Moray Council’s economic development committee, said: “Buckie needs to be ready to take advantage of the industry that will be coming out of the Moray Firth.
“The town’s harbour is ideally placed to service the needs of the wind farm projects in the firth, both during construction and during the life of the turbines.
“When the wind farm projects were confirmed, the council agreed that investment was needed to ensure the town was best-placed to maximise the benefits in terms of jobs and prosperity.
“We are taking a long-term view, which is what we have to do, to ensure the future prosperity of the area.”
Contractors Chap Group started work on the project in October last year and will complete the contract on budget.