Gwynedd Marks Europe Day

Europe Day provides an opportunity to note the significant EU investment that has helped to set solid foundations for Gwynedd’s prosperity. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Held on 9 May every year, Europe Day celebrates the foundation of what we now know as the European Union. Over the past 15 years, Gwynedd has benefitted from millions of pounds of European funding that has helped to establish hundreds of new companies and created substantial of new jobs for the county’s economy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Community said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As we mark the annual Europe Day, it is important that we note the significant EU investment that has helped to deliver a series of important projects here in Gwynedd. Since 2000, Gwynedd has benefitted from over £158 million of European Structural funding which forms part of a wider £300 million investment in the Gwynedd economy which has played a key role in supporting the people, businesses and communities of the county during what have been undeniably challenging times for the economy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Through various projects supported by EU funding, we have been able to help Gwynedd businesses to grow and provide quality, sustainable job opportunities. Indeed, in the period from 2007 to 2013 alone this funding has helped 1,475 Gwynedd businesses to grow and expand, helped to establish 560 new businesses and 2,300 new jobs for Gwynedd. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This funding has been an important part of the Council’s efforts to improve the opportunities for the people of Gwynedd to live, work and succeed locally, and we must not forget that more than 12,000 people have gained qualifications with a further 1,800 people helped back into employment through EU projects in the county. I would like to pay tribute to the Council’s staff who have been so crucial in the work of ensuring substantial EU investment for Gwynedd over the past 15 years.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gwynedd also received almost £8 million through the Rural Development Plan for Wales between 2007 and 2013, an EU and Welsh Government programme aimed at helping economic regeneration in rural communities. The Llwyddo yng Ngwynedd programmes contributed towards increasing the viability and sustainability of Gwynedd’s rural communities, and helped over 1,100 people to set-up new businesses, increased the skills level of almost 1,300 people and created 197 new jobs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Other key projects that have been supported through European funding include: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Plas Heli, a £9 million (over £4 million of EU funds) state-of-the-art sailing academy in Pwllhelli, is already hosting world class sailing events and welcoming hundreds of sailors from around the globe, bringing economic benefit and strengthening Gwynedd’s marine and sailing industry.
• £4.4 million redevelopment of Blaenau Ffestiniog town centre has created a lively shopping centre and reinvigorated the town as a destination for visitors. An investment of over £6.1 million in Bangor and Caernarfon town centres saw major enhancements for the benefit of those who live, work and visit them.
• Gwynedd’s transport network benefitted from a £20 million investment in the Pont Briwet scheme that has improved links in the Meirionnydd area of the county.