Blaenau Gwent is becoming a hi-tech hot bed for developing new technologies and advanced manufacturing, with new infrastructure, superfast broadband, and a selection of properties for companies of all sizes - all backed up by full business support.
It’s a team effort. The Welsh Government is investing £100m over 10 years to create 1,500-plus jobs. We’re working with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, industry and academia to invest in the infrastructure and skills to make it happen.
Click here to open and download our Tech Valleys brochure.....Tech Valleys Brochure
National Digital Exploitation Centre
The Welsh Government has worked with global technology company Thales to establish a £20m cyber centre at the heart of the Tech Valleys. The National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) was founded in 2019, in its new purpose-built home. It's the first R&D facility of its kind in Wales, and provides the perfect setting for SMEs and microbusinesses to test and develop their digital concepts.
More than a name
Tech Valleys is more than just a vision. It’s happening right now.
We’ve invested millions in recent years to make this a hugely attractive place to do business.
Tech Valleys doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of an integrated portfolio of projects that work together. Ebbw Vale has one of Wales’ eight Enterprise Zones, meaning it’s a priority area for business support, skills, first-class infrastructure, financial incentives, and property and development opportunities. It’s part of the wider Cardiff Capital Region, a project that’s investing £1.2bn of public money to leverage another £4bn of private investment across South East Wales.
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s business team works with Welsh Government to deliver what’s needed. As a devolved Government, we don’t need to wait for decisions from Westminster. So we can act fast to help businesses set up and thrive.
Everything’s in place
We’re well connected, in every sense.
High-speed comms offer an instant connection to the world, while the newly up graded A465 provides a fast physical link. Not that locals are in a hurry to leave: this corner of Wales has some of our favourite places right on the doorstep.
Quality of life counts for something, too.
The region's easy accessibility means you’ll have strong road, rail and air links to customers and suppliers in the UK, mainland Europe and beyond.
Future skills
The next revolution will be powered by knowledge.
Tech industries rely on a smart workforce that’s trained in all the right skills. The local education system is preparing the next generation for high-skill, high-value jobs.
One of Coleg Gwent’s six campuses, the Learning Zone is based in The Works site in Ebbw Vale. They offer 32 A-level courses, more than 150 full-time vocational courses, and 36 university level courses. There’s a strong emphasis on providing both personal fulfilment and the real-world skills that employers need. They also collaborate with local businesses and organisations like Aspire Blaenau Gwent to provide award-winning apprenticeships.
Space to grow
It’s easy to grow a business here.
There’s an Enterprise Zone at the heart of the Tech Valleys with plenty of possibilities for expansion. Many units are ready for immediate occupation. At bigger sites, the ground has been prepared, and roads, utilities and services installed.
It's a land of limitless potential for start-ups, growing businesses and developers.
Diverse, flexible, future-proof
There’s high-quality commercial space for companies from boutique to behemoth, and at every stage of their growth cycle. Start off with a single desk in a serviced office, and grow your big idea onto an entire industrial estate.
Blaenau Gwent has an excellent selection of commercial properties and land to suit every type of business spread across 19 business parks and industrial estates. There are also development sites in both public and private ownership.