THE foundations for a £1 billion deal to expand the North Wales economy and create 14,000 jobs have been laid.

The foundations are based on seven strategic programmes which are now in place.

The North Wales Economic Ambition Board is the organisation taking the deal forward. It consists of a group of private and public organisations including: Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham councils, Coleg Cambria, Grwp Llandrillo Menai, Wrexham Glyndwr University, Bangor University and the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council.

The programmes cover low carbon energy, advanced manufacturing, land-based industries (agriculture and tourism), land and property, skills and employment, digital connectivity, and strategic transport. It is anticipated they will have a positive impact on tens of thousands of households, businesses and organisations across the region.

The Deal will see more than 4,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs created, reinforced by £511m of private sector investment and £3.3bn of capital leveraged from the private sector, achieved as a result of the projects and programmes being delivered.

Gwynedd council’s leader cllr Dyfrig Siencyn, chairman of the Ambition Board, said: “Alongside our partners in education and the private and public sectors we have worked hard over past years to get to this position.

“There is still a long road ahead but the funding from both the UK and Welsh Governments means we have a firm foundation on which to build."

He added: “The Growth Deal is for North Wales and will impact on everyone, whether that be via improved digital connectivity, transport routes, renewable energy or the benefits all of the projects will bring.”

Proposals have been put forward for a new programme office, to drive and organise the projects, and Gwynedd will be the host authority.

The Growth Vision’s overarching aim is to increase the economy’s value to £26bn by 2035 from £13.6bn currently.