MORE than 680 new businesses will be created in Fife over the next year, if the region's economy developers achieve their aim.
Scottish Enterprise Fife (SEF) has set itself the target of encouraging the growth, which would bring with it more jobs.
The development agency plans to deliver more jobs, more opportunities and greater prosperity than ever before.
It intends to in
vest £24m to boost the Kingdom's economy, some of that being poured into the Central Fife Action Plan.
Part of the action plan is the development of John Smith Business Park, in Kirkcaldy, and the creation of Fife Energy Park, in Methil.
The energy park, in the former rig yard, was given the green light on Wednesday and is expected to bring several hundred jobs and inject more than £130m into the economy.
SEF chief executive Joe Noble said: "Our mission is to diversify the local economy, generate more service sector jobs, encourage innovation, research and development, and, in absolute terms, create more organisations in Fife.
"We aim to improve the competitiveness of Fife businesses through providing a range of high quality, market-focussed services to support the activities of the commercial sector."
John Smith Business Park is crucial in SEF's armoury as it aims to revive the region's fortunes.
A sprawling network of office blocks estimated to be worth £100m is on the drawing board for the northwest gateway to the town, and would be the biggest employment investment in Fife in a generation if it goes ahead.
Surrounded by a hotel, sports centres and new housing, it could create more than 1000 jobs.
One office complex — known as phase two — is already under construction behind the headquarters of MGt, and is expected to be complete in October, two months ahead of schedule.
But the 20 or so further offices envisaged have yet to be given outline planning consent — a decision is due later this month — and a private investor is yet to be found.
Mr Noble said: "The John Smith Business Park is of strategic importance to the economic development of Central Fife. Scottish Enterprise Fife will continue to work with the Council to secure delivery of this project.
"The masterplan coming to fruition is a major step forward in the transformation of Kirkcaldy."
