Comment: Enterprise zones will boost economy and create jobs

This gives the Vale a great opportunity to deliver more jobs in some exciting industries. It’s brilliant news for our local economy.

Enterprise Zones are a government initiative which provide areas with the powers to develop their own economy. Businesses basing themselves on Enterprise Zones can access business support designed to attract investment and growth.

What this means for the Vale is more businesses investing and creating new job opportunities and more money circulating in our local economy. And here’s the headline that we’ll all welcome - it’s expected that the zones will help create and retain up to 8,665 jobs, whilst also providing opportunities for the next generation with apprenticeships in key industries.

The sites chosen are at Westcott Venture Park, Silverstone Park and Woodlands near the Arla Dairy, Aston Clinton.

Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP), of which AVDC is a member, campaigned for these Enterprise Zones as they complement our existing strategy of supporting local industries and businesses. The Vale’s economy has huge potential to expand and these zones give the perfect boost for further growth. Westcott, famous for its WW2 rocket testing heritage, is a growing hub for modern space propulsion technologies. Silverstone is famous for its high performance technologies and motorsport industries, whilst the Arla/Woodlands site is intended to focus on food and drink and health care.

These are major up and coming industries for the UK, not just Aylesbury Vale, so growth in these sectors is fantastic news for the long term prospects of our local economy, helping ensure the benefits are felt for years to come.

There’s a bright future ahead for the Vale’s economy and I look forward to the many exciting opportunities our Enterprise Zones will bring.