Investment and the Ayrshire Growth Deal

The Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD) is one of Scotland’s largest regional investment programmes and is expected to play a significant role in the long-term economic transformation of Kilmarnock and the wider East Ayrshire area. It is a partnership between the UK Government, Scottish Government, and the three Ayrshire councils.

For Kilmarnock, the Ayrshire Growth Deal represents the most significant coordinated public investment programme in decades. If delivered successfully, it has the potential to:

Diversify the local economy beyond traditional industries
Establish Kilmarnock as a regional innovation hub
Improve employment prospects and wages
Stimulate substantial private investment
Contribute to long-term, inclusive economic growth across East Ayrshire

Economic growth priorities

The Growth Deal focuses on sectors where Ayrshire has competitive strengths, including:

Aerospace and space
Renewable energy and the circular economy
Advanced manufacturing
Tourism
Digital technology
Engineering

Expected benefits for Kilmarnock

The deal aims to:

Create higher-value employment opportunities.
Increase productivity and innovation.
Attract domestic and international investment.
Improve skills and workforce participation.
Strengthen supply chains for local businesses.
Regenerate key employment sites and support town-centre renewal.

Our story, creating impact

Building on Investment:

Kilmarnock Town Centre has already benefited from investment through a number of transformational projects, including the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall, The HALO, the Ingram Enterprise Centre, the Bus Station Transport Hub, and the demolition of the former multi-storey car park.

This masterplan builds upon these investments by delivering high-quality, lasting change across the town centre.

It focuses on:

Addressing the remaining gaps in the town’s urban fabric,
Improving design quality, public spaces, movement, and infrastructure to reconnect key destinations
And create a more cohesive, vibrant, and attractive town centre for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The Kilmarnock Masterplan will build on all the work achieved so far adopting a focused and coordinated approach to regeneration.

This will involve completing areas where regeneration has already begun, ensuring that existing investment is fully realised and that regeneration projects are brought to a successful conclusion.