Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, has written to the Welsh Business and Enterprise Minister asking her to seriously consider Powys as a potential site for the second tranche of Enterprise Zones to be announced before Christmas.
In letter to Mrs Hart, the AM said he was pleased the Government was examining areas beyond the main industrialised towns and cities and hoped that rural Mid Wales would feature in her second phase announcement.
Commenting Mr George said:
“The Minister has stated that she has been discussing additional Enterprise Zones with other local authorities and I have asked her what discussions she has had with Powys County Council and other key stakeholders in the region, regarding the potential establishment of an Enterprise Zone in Mid Wales.
“Powys would benefit significantly from an Enterprise Zone and I believe the region has a lot of positive elements to offer in driving forward the Government’s Economic Renewal Programme for Wales.
“For many years, Powys has delivered high end manufacturing employment in a variety of sectors – textiles, automotive, sustainable development and low carbon technologies.
“It has also made a significant contribution to the Welsh tourism and food and farming sectors, which have been identified by the Government as priority sectors for development.
“Its geographical location to the English border also makes it an ideal location to make specific business links with important cities like Birmingham but also with the English Enterprise Zones in Hereford and the Black Country.
“I think a zone in the Severn Valley would add real value to the Welsh economic recovery and I hope the Minister gives my suggestion serious consideration.”
