THE first phase of a “prime development” which covers 22-acres across Cross Hands East has been unveiled by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The high-potential strategic business and employment site is being marketed to the private sector in the field of advanced manufacturing, financial, environmental services with opportunities to build high quality commercial premises right next to the A48/ M4 network.

Welsh Government Leader of the House Jane Hutt AM was amongst the first to see phase one of the Cross Hands East strategic employment site, a development space set out over nine plots with potential for major employment.

The £14.5million strategic employment site was funded by Carmarthenshire County Council, Welsh Government and European Regional Development Fund.

The council is contributing a further £1million to encourage development at the Cross Hands East site in the form of property development grants.

Jane Hutt met with Carmarthenshire County Council’s economic development and marketing teams, and representatives from contractors Alun Griffiths Ltd, on site on Thursday, October 6.

“Cross Hands East is a major infrastructure project that will bring business growth and job creation to Carmarthenshire, so I’m delighted that Welsh Government and EU funds have supported this development,” she said.

“EU funds, in particular, have been a vital source of investment and this project is a clear example of how EU funding is supporting economic development in Wales.

“This site can accommodate 1,000 jobs which is great news for this area for the communities that live here, businesses and the economy. The Welsh Government is pleased to be a partner.”

Cllr Meryl Gravell, the council’s Executive Board Member for Regeneration, added: “We were delighted to take the wrap off this high-potential development site this week.

“Carmarthenshire has an enviable track record in business and property development and this was an opportunity to reinforce this as a place to invest and develop.

Speaking at the Cross Hands launch, council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole said Carmarthenshire is ‘open for business’.

“When I became Leader of this authority it was my ambition to create good quality jobs,” he said.

“This growth zone, strategically located within Carmarthenshire and the Swansea Bay City Region, offers businesses great opportunity to expand and develop. This site alone has major employment potential."

More information on Cross Hands Growth Zone is available at carmarthenshire.gov.wales.