Ceredigion County Council website

The week provided an opportunity to showcase the breadth of activity already under way across Mid Wales — from skills and training, digital infrastructure and energy, to agri-tech, food-tech, transport and wider investment opportunities. A key focus was the importance of turning regional ambition into practical delivery, with discussions highlighting how investment, infrastructure, skills and employer demand can be better aligned to support people, businesses and communities across the region.

The week highlighted how Mid Wales is increasingly bringing together investment, infrastructure and skills planning through a mature regional delivery platform. Discussions focused on how evidence-led investment planning, Growth Deal projects and wider regional programmes can help develop a pipeline of opportunities, ensuring future skills provision is aligned to employer demand and long-term economic growth.

Highlights from the week included:

• Exploring the Regional Skills Partnership’s emerging Digital Skills Strategy, which will help shape how digital skills are developed across Mid Wales and will be shared publicly in the coming months.
• Hearing from members of the Mid & North Wales Agri-Tech and Food-Tech Launchpad community about how Innovate UK support has helped businesses develop, test and grow innovative ideas with commercial potential.
• Showcasing how the Mid Wales Growth Deal’s Digital Programme, including the LoRaWAN Business Grant, is helping businesses adopt smart technologies to improve efficiency, productivity and decision-making.
• Learning how funding and regional partnerships are helping projects within the agricultural and timber sectors research, test and prototype new approaches that support decarbonisation and long-term sustainability.
• Discussing how Mid Wales can continue to build on its strengths in areas including agriculture, food and drink, manufacturing, tourism, energy and digital innovation to create future opportunities for the region. 

The week also provided a valuable opportunity to meet with a wide range of stakeholders and partners, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration across the region and beyond.

In a joint statement from the Leaders of Growing Mid Wales Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, and Councillor Jake Berriman, Leader of Powys County Council, said: “The Royal Welsh Show has once again provided an important opportunity to showcase the ambition, strengths and opportunities of Mid Wales. Growing Mid Wales is now moving from strategy into delivery, with strong partnership working helping to turn regional priorities into practical action. Through the Mid Wales Growth Deal and our wider programme of work, we are building the foundations for future investment, stronger skills pathways and long-term opportunities for our communities and businesses. There is a great deal of positive work happening across the region, and by continuing to work together with partners, employers, education providers and governments, we can help ensure Mid Wales is well placed to deliver for the future.”

Growing Mid Wales will continue to share updates on projects, opportunities and regional progress over the coming months. To keep up to date with the latest news, opportunities and project updates from across the region, sign up to the Growing Mid Wales newsletter, www.growingmid.wales/Newsletters or follow Growing Mid Wales on social media, LinkedIn and Instagram @growingmidwales.