A landmark agreement has been reached to develop a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing centre and business park on the edge of Newtown.

Powys County Council (PCC) is purchasing 14 hectares of land next to Newtown College from NPTC Group of Colleges to create the new site, which will be called CymruTech Park. The development will combine flexible business units with the Mid Wales Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC), creating a hub for innovation, skills, and economic growth in the region.

The project is expected to bring more than 400 jobs to Mid Wales and boost the area’s output by around £100 million. PCC will now work with partners, including the Mid Wales Growth Deal, to secure funding for the scheme’s capital costs.

Cllr Glyn Preston, PCC’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “This development will have a massive impact on Mid Wales. By positioning the upper Severn valley as a hub for innovation, high-value manufacturing, and sustainable industry, we believe we will unlock long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits for the region.

“This project directly supports our long-term ambitions for boosting the area’s mid-sized manufacturing and engineering firms and providing more well-paid employment for local people.”

The council and consultants BIC Innovation have been consulting manufacturing businesses across Powys and Ceredigion to ensure the project meets local industry needs, with support from the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG).

Ceri Stephens, Group Manager at MWMG, said: “Securing the site for CymruTech Park is a landmark moment for Mid Wales – it paves the way for cutting-edge manufacturing, innovation, and skills development that will create real opportunities for our businesses, our young people, and our communities.

“It will give young engineers and apprentices the skills and opportunities they need to thrive here in Mid Wales, and provide world-class facilities that help our manufacturers innovate, grow, and compete.”

Plans for the AMC include high-level technical equipment, research and development space, training and apprenticeships, and facilities for prototyping, collaboration, and meetings. Several partners are expected to invest in the scheme, which is aligned with the Mid Wales Growth Deal. An outline business case will be considered by the Growing Mid Wales Board in July.

CymruTech Park will also feature a bespoke Green Skills Academy run by NPTC Group of Colleges. The academy will offer workshops and learning spaces focused on renewable energy, low-carbon construction, alternative fuels, and other green technologies. It is expected to train 150–200 learners each year, from full-time students to apprentices and professionals seeking upskilling.

Mark Dacey, CEO of NPTC Group of Colleges, said: “A multi-disciplinary business park next to a college provides the perfect opportunity for jobs growth alongside bespoke training. A real opportunity to impact positively on the economy in Mid Wales, and a real opportunity for our youth, who will be the industrialists of the future.

“We are very pleased to be playing a key role in supporting this opportunity for Newtown and Mid Wales.”

The project is still subject to planning approval, with pre-application consultation expected before a formal application is submitted.

Anyone with questions about economic development and growth in Powys should email: [email protected]