**Neath Port Talbot Receives Over £20 Million Boost for Major Regeneration Projects**
In a significant development for Neath Port Talbot, more than £20 million in new funding has been secured for three ambitious regeneration projects intended to revitalise the local economy, foster industry growth, and create fresh opportunities in south Wales. The approval of this package marks the latest move by the Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board, reflecting its ongoing commitment to supporting the region through change.
The announcement, made on 22 May 2025, brings the cumulative total of new investment in the area to £70 million over the past nine months. The latest £21.2 million tranche will bolster efforts to safeguard and generate more than 270 local jobs, whilst also providing a much-needed boost to the construction sector through the creation of new roles.
The Transition Board was established in 2023 as a direct response to significant shifts at the Tata Steel facility in Port Talbot, one of the town’s key employers and historically the heart of its industrial identity. Its purpose is to guide economic restructuring, bolstering both the workforce and surrounding communities through targeted support and investment.
Among the most prominent beneficiaries of the new funding is plans for an Advanced Manufacturing Production Facility and National Net Zero Centre of Excellence at Harbourside, Port Talbot. This venture has been awarded £12.5 million towards its total expected cost of £35 million. Its goal is to provide local industry with state-of-the-art equipment and training resources, positioning Neath Port Talbot as a leader in low carbon technology and advanced manufacturing.
This facility is envisaged as a catalyst for upskilling the workforce in disciplines critical to securing a ‘net zero’ future, such as green manufacturing and cutting-edge production techniques. Once completed, it is expected to enhance local capabilities and attract further investment, supported in part by additional contributions from the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Meanwhile, a further £8.7 million will fund the renovation and expansion of two business centres in the area. The Metal Box site near Briton Ferry and the Sandfields Business Centre have been earmarked for upgrades. The aim is to convert these premises into high-quality spaces, enabling existing tenants to expand and facilitating easier access to new units for incoming businesses.
Welcoming the investment, Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens emphasised the board’s commitment to the community, saying, “This latest investment means more than £70 million has been announced by the Transition Board in just nine months, delivering on our promise to the community.” She also referenced broader strategic initiatives such as the Celtic Freeport, ongoing steelmaking preservation, and developments in floating offshore wind, all painting a hopeful picture for Port Talbot’s future.
Cllr Steve Hunt, leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, also hailed the funding as a vital step in balancing the transition towards decarbonisation with tangible support for local residents and businesses. He remarked, “The investment announced today will provide a significant boost to our ongoing work with partners to promote economic growth and to provide people with the skills needed for the industries of the future.”
The funding decisions form part of a wider vision to transform Neath Port Talbot into a future-facing economic hub, recognising both the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing industrial landscape. As the region adapts to reduced steel production and accelerates towards a low-carbon economy, these projects are seen as key to sustaining and reinventing the local workforce.
Residents and businesses alike will be waiting to see how quickly these plans translate into jobs, training, and improved infrastructure. For now, the announcement signals determined efforts to move Neath Port Talbot forward, ensuring the town remains a viable and vibrant place to work, learn, and invest.