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First Minister Jack
McConnell paid a flying visit to the Garnock Valley this week when he
dropped into Radio City in Kilbirnie and AEA Technology in Glengarnock.
 
The First Minister was very impressed by both venues and said “It is very
important that an area like the Garnock Valley hit hard by industrial
closure in the last twenty years has a future in the next twenty years which
helps keep local talent and attract new skills and enterprise to the area”.
“Radio City has a reputation now well beyond the valley as a good example of
agencies working together on the Executive’s cross cutting agenda to close
the opportunity gap and improve health and education”.
“Creating new employment opportunity and investing in a knowledge based
economy are both vital to these objectives and in AEA at Glengarnock we have
both in one company”.
“I wish both projects well and feel sure I will be back to welcome more
initiatives from both venues,” said Mr McConnell.
Local MSP Allan Wilson who arranged the First Ministers’ visit in
conjunction with Radio City Chief Executive John Stewart and AEA Managing
Director Graham Wren said “The First Minister had heard directly from me of
the importance of both Radio City and AEA to the future of the Garnock
Valley and had expressed a personal desire to see for himself the
transformation at both sites”.
“Jack spent many childhood days in Beith and Gateside with his grandparents
and knows the area well and I was pleased he was able to devote time from
his hectic schedule to come here”.
“There will be positive developments to report in due course I am sure
because of his personal interest”.
“Radio City Chairwoman Greta Jennings said “The First Minister showed a keen
interest and considerable knowledge about the ground-breaking work we are
doing here and listened attentively to our various partners”.
Graham Wren, AEA Technology’s Site Director said he was “Very pleased to
welcome the First Minister to Glengarnock to see the new facility and the
contribution it was making to the community. Being at Glengarnock has
enabled us to recruit a first class work force and has played a major part
in our success in Scotland.” |
