Welsh Government finance and business minister Jane Hutt’s announcement that Aberystwyth University’s Innovation and Enterprise Campus (AIEC) will be the first multi-million pound project to receive substantial backing through the new £2 billion EU funding programme 2014-2020 was welcomed today by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.
“We were pleased to hear that £20m of EU investment will help develop the campus. This is a very worthwhile project and we are pleased to see money from the European Regional Development Fund (RDP) being spent in this way,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.
“Having a new state-of-the-art, internationally recognised facility right on our door step is going to attract further research funding so that companies and researchers can undertake collaborative research projects to boost the bio-economy.
“It is very encouraging to know that the research is predicted to generate innovative new products, services and spin-out companies in sustainable food, health, biotechnology and renewable energy sectors.
“The project at Gogerddan, with an estimated value of more than £35m, will benefit our economy here in Wales and especially locally to Aberystwyth greatly. We must congratulate the University on securing the funding and we hope to see it drive a thriving and prosperous economy forward, boost businesses, increase renewable energy and energy efficiency as well as support infrastructure, skills and help people into work,” added Mr Jones.