South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) said the region is showing growing economic confidence, with record support for businesses, communities and social enterprises helping to create jobs, secure investment and back major projects across the region.
SOSE said it supported almost 2,300 organisations in 2025-26 — the highest number ever recorded in a year.
The milestone is revealed in the latest SOSE annual report and accounts, which sets out our role in helping businesses and communities secure investment, drive innovation, build skills and deliver transformational regeneration across the region.
SOSE said it engaged with 2,282 organisations in 2025-26 — up from 2,156 in 2024-25 — marking another record year for the agency.
“Over the same period, we approved £18.3 million for 648 projects, a significant increase on the £10.3 million approved for 558 client-facing funded projects in the previous year …” said SOSE
“Our support helped create or safeguard 749 jobs across the South of Scotland — almost double the 377 recorded in 2024-25 — while our investments generated £3.33 for every pound invested, contributing almost £61 million to the South of Scotland economy …
“The agency’s work also reached thousands of people directly, with 2,862 people engaged in entrepreneurship, including 2,016 young people and 725 women, reflecting our focus on widening opportunity and backing the next generation of businesses, leaders and community innovators.”
The results follow a series of major inward investment successes for the South of Scotland.
“We recently announced a £4.7 million investment in Pickstock Telford to help deliver a £24 million-plus beef processing facility in Ecclefechan, creating 90 jobs for the region,” said SOSE.
“This week we also announced a near-£1 million equity investment in Hemspan to establish an innovative bio-based manufacturing facility in the Scottish Borders, with the potential to generate up to 100 new jobs.”
Work has begun on the Center Parcs Scottish Borders village, which is expected to create around 1,200 jobs and contribute £75 million to the local economy.
The Kight PowerHub to Dumfries is expected to create up to 700 jobs, and progress on a new Galloway Distillery is being led by local entrepreneur and actor Sam Heughan.
Work is continuing on the Mountain Bike Innovation Campus, now known as Caerlee Mill Bike Campus, which remains on budget and on time to open in summer 2027.
SOSE chair Russel Griggs said: “This has been another year of significant delivery and growing momentum for the South of Scotland.
“These latest results again highlight how the South of Scotland has become more confident, outward looking and leading in innovation.
“Our region is one where businesses of all sizes can start, scale and succeed, where people can build rewarding careers close to home, and where communities are empowered to shape resilient, prosperous futures.
“In the year ahead, we will build again on these strong foundations while continuing to respond to new economic opportunities and challenges.”
SOSE CEO Jane Morrison-Ross said: “This year’s results show the scale of what can be achieved when ambition, investment and local knowledge come together.
“By supporting almost 2,300 businesses, social enterprises and community organisations, and helping secure major investments that will create jobs and opportunities for generations to come, SOSE is helping to build a stronger, more resilient South of Scotland economy.
“What inspires me most is the ambition we see every day from local businesses, entrepreneurs and communities. Across innovation, regeneration, renewable energy and new enterprise, the South of Scotland is showing it can compete, lead and deliver on a national and international stage.
“We are determined to build on that momentum, widen opportunity, and ensure more people, places and businesses benefit from the growth and confidence being created across the region.”