\n The Scottish National Investment Bank has also invested \u00a310m in the scheme, which aims to\u00a0connect 150 small towns and villages over the next year.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes<\/a> has praised the deal as a \u2018significant success story\u2019.\n<\/p>\n \n The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP, who announced plans to step away from Holyrood<\/a> last week, noted: \u201cThe roll-out of Highland Broadband\u2019s network has made a real difference to people and businesses in rural areas, supporting jobs and boosting economic growth.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cI am delighted to see substantial new investment flowing into the company and the rural communities it serves, including a further \u00a310 million from the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB).\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThis takes the Bank\u2019s total investment to \u00a360 million, which has helped Highland Broadband raise an additional \u00a340 million of private capital.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Brad Bauman, Head of Alternative Credit at AlphaReal, said:\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cWe are delighted to provide this initial facility to Highland Broadband. We have extensive experience in providing bespoke lending solutions across the debt spectrum, and as we expand into digital infrastructure, we look forward to working with Gavin and his team at Highland Broadband.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n Read more:\n<\/p>\n \n ‘A dire predicament’: Union Street closures as 23% of units lie empty<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n My thrombectomy gave me a second chance at life. Why can’t everyone access it?<\/a>\n<\/p>\n