TWO major projects that could benefit  the economy Powys will be discussed by the Cabinet and rubber-stamped.

At the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, May 9, inter-authority agreements, with Ceredigion and Neath Port Talbot (NPT) County Councils will be signed.

The first will formalise the agreement between Ceredigion and Powys on taking the £200 million Mid-Wales Growth Deal forward.

The main aims of the Growth Deal vision are being taken forward by the Growing Mid-Wales Partnership’s.

Their aim is is to drive economic growth and deliver a transformative change in the economy over the next 15 years.

It is expected that ideas from various workshops and seminars held with businesses during recent months will be unveiled over the summer. The second project has been called “Project Hornby.”

This is the hope that a £100 million rail testing complex to work on next generation train technology, could be built near Ystradgynlais.

The complex in the Neath Valley would allow trains to be tested on special tracks – laid out on 4.5 mile (7.3km) and two mile (3.1km) ovals – at speeds of up to 100mph (160kph) and would straddle the PCC and NPT boundary.

At a cabinet meeting on April 30, Council Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris (Independent – Llangynidr), said that both agreements would be put together at another cabinet meeting.

Cllr Harris said: “We would like to hold quite a brief meeting next week partly to discuss this (Growing Mid Wales Inter Authority Agreement) but also because we have another inter-authority agreement coming – which involves Project Hornby.

“This is the project we have going with Neath Port Talbot (NPT) County Council for the Ystradgynlais area.

“The redevelopment of the Nant Helen site for a train testing area.

“We’d like to bring them both together.”

“This (Mid Wales Growth Deal) has already gone before Ceredigion County Council but I understand they have agreed a draft agreement and agreed that their Chief Executive will take it forward.”