Local politicians have urged the government to rethink its plan to centralise the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) board after the agency submitted a list of its achievements to Holyrood.
In a document for MSPs, HIE said they had invested a total of £115million in local projects over 2015/16.
The agency says its efforts have focused on supporting firms whose activities have a “disproportionately positive impact” on rural communities.
Opposition politicians said the report showed it was “critical” that HIE be preserved in its current form.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney sparked a backlash when he confirmed that HIE’s board would be subsumed into a new national structure as part of an ongoing review of Scotland’s enterprise agencies.
Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron, who is one of those backing the Press and Journal’s campaign to keep HIE local, said: “Many of the details set out in this evidence show why it’s critical for the HIE board to remain in existence.
“It’s important MSPs on this committee have the opportunity to hear properly the value the HIE board provides to the Highlands and Islands.
“Centralising it would be a mistake, and it’s time the SNP woke up to that.”
The HIE report, which was presented at the economy, jobs and fair work committee yesterday, states that 855 jobs have been created or safeguarded in the Highlands thanks to the agency’s work.
It also highlights the agency’s efforts to deliver superfast broadband to rural businesses, as well as invest in local enterprises.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur, who is also backing our campaign, added: “This list of HIE’s achievements shows the impact it has had on local communities across the region.
“It also calls into serious question the SNP’s plans to abolish HIE’s board and centralise decision-making over economic development.
“Ministers need to think again and stop putting their obsession with centralisation ahead of the economic interests of the Highlands and Islands.”
A review last month recommended that a new single board should be set up to co-ordinate the work of HIE, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council.
A consultation is due to be held as part of a second phase of the review.
