In one of the biggest investments into Ceredigion in recent years, meat processing firm Dunbia has announced that it will be creating 208 jobs in the former Dairygold cheese factory in Felinfach.

Dunbia is investing £7.5million, with support from a £1.8m business finance grant from the Welsh Government. The new facility is to be operational by February 2014, and will supply high-quality meat to the Sainsbury’s supermarket chain.

Elin Jones, local Plaid Cymru AM for Ceredigion, said,

“This is great news for Ceredigion; in terms of jobs created it’s one of the largest investments in the county for decades.

“The empty factory at Felinfach has long been a painful reminder of the decision of cheese-makers Dairygold to pull out in 2006 shortly after obtaining a Welsh Government grant. The decision to pursue legal action to successfully recover the grant in the wake of Dairygold’s betrayal of its Ceredigion employees laid down a marker for the future. Important lessons were learnt at that time about how best to give public support to companies which were looking to invest in Wales.

“This investment is by a company with a long commitment to west Wales and its existing plant in Llanybydder. It’s a great vote of confidence in the quality of local agricultural produce; this factory will be supplying high-quality meats to supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s.

“It’s also encouraging that Dunbia is to hold a recruitment fair in the Aeron valley in the new year. There is a clear need for employment locally. There will be a variety of different jobs offered by this company, and I very much hope that young people who are looking to stay in the area will consider a career in this important industry.”

Ceredigion’s Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams said;

‘I am delighted with this excellent news – good for job creation and for the Aeron Valley. I would like to congratulate the Assembly Government for its role and £1.8 million grant in securing this deal.

‘The departure of Dairygold from Felinfach was a real tragedy, and I very much welcome the arrival of this new beef processing and packing factory in February.’