PLAID Cymru's leader on Powys Council, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan, has launched his vision "The Heart of Wales" at the Winter Show in Llanelwedd.

The document focuses on the key sectors of environmental, cultural industries, technology, food and drink, care and hospitality.

Cllr Vaughan, said: "This is Plaid Cymru contributing in a positive way towards the opportunities as a result of the Mid Wales growth bid.

"It is imperative we are creative innovative and think afresh about the future of the area.

"Nobody has the monopoly on ideas and we see this as an opportunity to get people to think about what we can do and change from a can't do to a can do culture."

Much of the document concentrates on two of the county's biggest towns, Welshpool and Newtown.

Cllr Vaughan added: "They are not only important in their own right but also to a much wider area and are key to the future of Powys.

"Likewise there's a opportunity to add value to our assets such as cultural and linguistic and hence in view of the huge success of the Eisteddfod visit to Meifod and the £5.5 million economic benefit to the area following the Urdd Eisteddfod to Llanelwedd this year why not consider the purchase of a site in Montgomeryshire to develop a long term base that could be used by both the Urdd and National Eisteddfod?

"The Welsh language could then be a positive economic asset for the area. "

Part of the vision is also to see Powys as a unifying bridge between North and Mid-Wales.

Cllr Vaughan added: "Powys is a historical integral part of Wales, an old, old County, the County of Glyndwr, Sycharth, Cilmeri and much more.

"Powys should be seen as the Celtic knot bringing the rest of Wales together."

Part of the document focusses ideas for towns in Powys, namely, Machynlleth, Newtown, Welshpool, Llanfyllin and Brecon.

One of the suggestions for Machynlleth is to emulate the "Andoain Kulturepark model" from the Basque Country in Spain and promote innovation.

Newtown, according to Cllr Vaughan could be used as a home of a newly formed Rural Wales Development Board.

It has been confirmed that £114 million already earmarked to be invested in Newtown could be used with the proposals.

Cllr Vaughan suggests the town should become a centre of learning concentrating on the agricultural sector.

Brownfield sites in the town as well as nearby Caersws and Carno should be developed.

Welshpool needs to see the "Gateway to Wales" brand used by both public and private sector.

New sites for businesses need to be developed according to Cllr Vaughan as research shows investors choose Welshpool ahead of both Oswestry and Wrexham.

Better railway connections towards Wrexham are also suggested.

Llanfyllin is suggested as a "Culture Catalyst" and Cllr Vaughan would like to see a site in the area bought with hosting the National Eisteddfod in mind.

Cllr Vaughan added: "Culture and heritage are important economic drivers.

"We are aware of the positive impact the Royal Welsh Show has on Mid Powys. Likewise we are aware of the positive impact the National Eisteddfod has had on Montgomeryshire in recent visits, both in economic terms but also as a linguistic and cultural boost.

"Buying a 200 acre site for a base for a National or Urdd Eisteddfod would provide employment opportunities."

On Brecon, Cllr Vaughan, said: "Brecon has a fortunate position of being only an hour's drive from Cardiff , yet is located in the beautiful countryside.

"This combination should be used to develop the concept of "City in the Countryside," combining the accessibility of the City with the quality of life provided by living in the country.

Cllr Vaughan believes this could be done by decentralising services from Cardiff.

Central to all of this Cllr Vaughan believes is moving to a "can do" attitude.