An enterprising and innovative city
Inverness is the commercial and business centre for the Highlands of Scotland. The key to our success is a dynamic combination of traditional industries, inward investment, innovative technologies and a well-educated and highly-skilled workforce. High-tech business support from the Local Enterprise Company and through business technology centres has created many new services which benefit business and enterprise.
Tourism remains one of our key industries with an estimated one million visitors each year. Business tourism continues to grow thanks to a range of quality hotels, conference venues and business facilities which have seen major recent improvement and cater for everything from small seminars to major conferences. A strong and significant manufacturing sector includes numerous companies involved in engineering, electronics and medicare. In addition, there are commercial activities related to the primary industries of forestry, agriculture and fisheries which form an important part of the Highland economy. As the City in the Highlands, Inverness also has a very strong service sector encompassing retail, public sector and professional services.
Inverness has been very successful in attracting inward investment in a highly competitive global market. Many factors have combined to generate this success, including a very well-educated workforce, an abundance of land available for development, a high quality of life, good public sector support and access to a modern digital telecommunications network rivalling any city in Scotland.
An exciting new build project is currently underway to develop a bespoke, multi-user bio-medical research, education, and business incubation facility adjacent to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. The development, extending to some 7,240 sq.m. (77,472 sq.ft) will comprise office and laboratory space, two lecture theatres, breakout space, a library, café and clinical skills centre.
The expansion of the City is now seeing the development of Inverness Airport Business Park, immediately north of the A96 trunk road and adjacent to Inverness Airport.
