Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie has continued her drive to bring new investment to Anglesey during more meetings with companies looking to invest on the island.
Virginia took procurement, construction and project management firm Bechtel and Westinghouse Electric Corporation around the island to meet other companies and visit potential development sites.
Ivan Baldwin, Bechtel’s business development director and Mike Waite, director of new plant market development at Westinghouse visited Wylfa Newydd, the former Rhosgoch Shell site and the old Octel bromine works in Amlwch.
They then met up with Sean McCormick, the Chief Executive of Orthios based at the old Anglesey Aluminium site outside Holyhead.
Finally, the group went to M-SParc to meet with Mark Salisbury, the National Nuclear Laboratory’s Head of Reactors Strategy and hopefully the site of the UK’s first Thermal Hydraulic Testing Facility.
“This latest visit by a further two major companies is really starting to show that Anglesey is an attractive place to invest with plenty of sites up for grabs and a skilled workforce keen to get back into manufacturing, especially in nuclear, renewable and green technologies,” said Virginia.
“What is clear is that Anglesey could be even more attractive if it was granted freeport status – something all the companies I have hosted or spoken to are very keen to see.
“We need to see progress on this but Welsh Government continues to drag its heels.
“The latest myth is that not as much money is available from the UK Government for a Welsh freeport as English freeports while conveniently forgetting the millions Welsh Gov receives through the Barnett grant.
“As I have said many times, my job is to bring jobs and investment to Anglesey and I will work with anyone to achieve it. Last week, we had Rolls-Royce here and this week these big players.
“Now is the time to strike while the iron is hot and land jobs for islanders. If Welsh Government will not help, then I will appeal to the UK Government to take control of the freeport process otherwise this once-in-a-generation opportunity could be lost.”
