South of Scotland economy gathers momentum as SOSE support reaches record high

The South of Scotland 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.

We supported almost 2,300 organisations in 2025/26 - the highest number we have ever recorded in a year.

The milestone is revealed in our latest 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.

You can read the annual report and accounts here.

Growing picture of ambition

  • Behind that record level of engagement is a growing picture of ambition across the South of Scotland.
  • We 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 £18.3million for 648 projects, a significant increase on the £10.3million approved for 558 client-facing funded projects in the previous year.
  • That investment is translating into tangible benefits for the region.
  • 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 £61million 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

Inward investments

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.  

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. 

Annual report highlights

Russel Griggs, SOSE Chair, 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.”

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of SOSE, added:

“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.”