First minister Carwyn Jones this morning launched a £14.6m regeneration scheme in Carmarthenshire that will include a cultural and creative centre and 500-seat theatre in Llanelli town centre. The scheme, which also entails the renovation of two Grade II-listed buildings in Llanelli, will create 35 jobs. Led by Carmarthenshire County Council, it is backed by £5.1m from the European Regional Development Fund and £5.1m from the Welsh Assembly Government, with the remainder coming from the county council and key partners. Ministers and business groups will meet in Llanelli today for an economic summit.

A boiler scrappage scheme for over-60s will come into effect on 1 April, environment, sustainability and housing minister Jane Davidson announced this week. The Assembly Government has allocated £2.5m to the scheme for 2010/2011 and expects 5,000 homes to benefit. The scheme is open to over-60s with a G-rated boiler, who will receive a £500 voucher. Davidson also said that the Assembly Government had invested a further £1.4m to tackle fuel poverty through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.

The Welsh Assembly Government has supported the development of a £7m manufacturing facility that will create 200 jobs in South Wales over the next four years. Hair-care and styling products manufacturer Fillcare is expecting to production to start at the new facility, which is supported by the Assembly Government’s Single Investment Fund, later this year. Fillcare, which currently employs 73 people and is planning to expand into the aerosol market, has engaged local company Jordan Civil Engineering to work on a storage facility on the site.

Deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones today visited Chevron’s refinery in Pembrokeshire following reports that the oil company plans to restructure its global business. Jones said: “This refinery has recently been upgraded to improve efficiency and makes a major contribution to the UK's refining capacity. As well as going to the plant today, I have also written to the chairman and chief executive in California offering the support of the Welsh Assembly Government with the aim of securing the future of the plant.”

Smaller businesses in deprived areas will receive funding support of between £10,000 and £90,000 as part of the £7m Enhancement Areas Fund, first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones announced this week. The support, which aims to help businesses with the cost of capital investments, will create up to 600 jobs and protect 150 more. It will be delivered through the Assembly Government’s Single Investment Fund and will target businesses in strategic regeneration areas.