Wales Property, Manufacturing Stephen Farrell

Ken Skates

The Welsh Government has set out its ambition for Blaenau Gwent and the wider Valleys to become a key location for the development of emerging technologies, particularly in the automotive sector, by 2027.

Economy secretary Ken Skates has published a vision document for Tech Valleys, the planned Technology Park for the area.

Over ten years, Tech Valleys is expected to create at least 1,500 jobs, predominantly within new technologies and advanced manufacturing.

Through the project, the Welsh Government has also agreed to lease the former Techboard Building in Rassau. It is hoped that the facility will eventually house sports car maker TVR's proposed Welsh factory.

The Welsh Government will now work with the Dewan Foundation Trust, which owns the former Techboard building, on a multimillion-pound refurbishment project to attract businesses.

Ken Skates said: "We have allocated £100m to Tech Valleys over the next ten years with the aim of creating 1,500 jobs. In reality the value of overall activity will be much higher as we work to leverage in other private and public sector investors.

"I expect projects at Tech Valleys to include innovative areas such as the development and testing of battery and motor technology, 5G activity, and the infrastructure needed for automated and ultra-low emission vehicles, and to include a mix of short, medium and long term activities and targets.

"On that note I am proud to announce that as part of Tech Valleys the Welsh Government has agreed to lease the former Techboard building in Rassau, and we will now swiftly be investing in its refurbishment to ensure the project attracts the key sector businesses the project needs to succeed. Indeed we know this is a building that TVR would like to use for its planned manufacturing facility here."