Chris Elmore, Member of Parliament for Bridgend & Porthcawl, has welcomed today’s landmark announcement that South Wales will host a new AI Growth Zone stretching across eight sites from Bridgend to Newport. The project places South Wales at the forefront of the UK’s economic recovery and will deliver more than 5,000 new jobs from immediate construction roles to long term careers in artificial intelligence, research and development.
The announcement marks a major step forward for the region with Bridgend playing a central role. As part of the Growth Zone, Vantage Data Centres and NVIDIA will partner with local universities and colleges to train the workforce of the future and ensure local people gain the high skill qualifications needed for careers in the rapidly expanding AI sector.
Chris Elmore MP said:
“Todays announcement puts South Wales at the heart of Britain’s economic recovery. A new AI Growth Zone that includes Bridgend will deliver five thousand jobs from construction to long term AI careers. Labour is investing where it matters and driving growth back into communities that were left behind for far too long.”
Highlighting the importance of the project to Bridgend specifically, Chris added:
“I know how devastating a blow it was for our community when Bridgend Ford closed its doors for the last time, but today we begin a new chapter. Vantage Data Centers will build their state of the art facility on the former Ford site and bring high quality jobs back to the area while working with local colleges to ensure our young people have the skills they need in a world where AI will only continue to grow. This is about creating jobs for tomorrow while giving our community hope and opportunity today.”
As part of Labour’s modern industrial strategy, the UK Labour Government working with the Welsh Labour Government has also announced £5 million of support for businesses along the M4 corridor. This investment will help firms adopt AI technologies, upskill workers and grow with confidence.
“I want Bridgend & Porthcawl businesses to thrive in the economy of the future,” Chris said. “This £5 million investment will give local employers the tools they need to innovate, expand and create better jobs right here in Bridgend & Porthcawl. Labour is backing Welsh businesses and building a skilled workforce ready for the future.”
The eight dedicated development areas along the M4 corridor will form the backbone of Britain’s AI capability with the capacity to harness more than one gigawatt of power by the early 2030’s. This will establish South Wales as a hub of innovation, growth and prosperity.
“South Wales has always been a place of ambition and innovation,” Chris added. “This new Growth Zone places our region at the heart of Britain’s AI future. After years of false promises South Wales is finally getting the investment it deserves and communities like ours across Bridgend will be at the centre of the AI revolution.
This is what partnership in power looks like: investment in our communities, skilled jobs for the next generation and putting Wales at the heart of the industries shaping the future.”
