Good morning and welcome to another episode of Morning Matcha: Wiltshire. I’m Jim James, here with the ever-sharp Fiona Mountain. Fiona, I don't know about you, but the business headlines in Wiltshire have been popping off this week.Absolutely, Jim. There’s a real buzz, especially with the news out of Malmesbury – Dyson has just committed a staggering £10 million to their research centre right here. For tech and engineering in the county, that’s a major boost, isn't it?Oh, hands down. Dyson’s always been a bit of a flagship for innovation in Wiltshire. £10 million is nothing to sneeze at. The interesting thing—I was reading—they’re expecting not just tech revitalisation, but new jobs as well. It’s a classic case of, you know, investment, jobs, knock-on entrepreneurial spirit in the area.That ripple effect is just massive. And speaking of energy, another headline: Good Energy in Chippenham reporting a 25% revenue jump for Q2. Apparently, a big driver there is small businesses ramping up their solar installations. It’s like we said last time about Wiltshire’s green push—this is that in action.Exactly. And it’s not just about environmental stuff, is it? There’s new money coming into the county, and with revenue up, I’d guess they might be hiring—or offering more stable work to locals. All of that keeps the regional economy ticking over. But, Fiona, you mentioned before we started—you actually know someone at Good Energy?Yeah, a bit of a flashback—years ago, I met Juliet Davenport, who founded Good Energy. It was at one of those community sustainability forum things in Chippenham. She had such a clear sense of what Wiltshire’s strength could be in renewables. It’s brilliant to see her vision still carrying through in the growth today. And honestly, Jim, with this surge in local investment, what do you reckon it all means for Wiltshire’s employment scene?Well, if past is anything to go by, these sorts of injections create a virtuous cycle, right? More jobs, more families moving in, more demand for local services… And let’s not forget, these are future-proof sectors. As we discussed in a previous episode, the region leaning into sustainability seems to be paying off not just for the planet, but for pay packets too.Which blends nicely into what Wiltshire Council’s doing now—just announced: a £2 million grant programme aimed at helping small businesses bounce back after the pandemic. Over 65 local firms have already put their hands up to get involved.Sixty-five! That’s, well, it’s a strong signpost that local founders are on the lookout for support. Back in the day—and I’m talking the 1980s now—I remember how tough it was to get even the smallest grant. Oof, the paperwork alone… It felt like you needed a law degree just to qualify for a few quid, let alone anything substantial.Ha! Thankfully, it does seem things have moved on—maybe not perfectly, but heading in the right direction. Richard Clewer, the Wiltshire Councillor, has really been emphasising improved infrastructure. And digital support! That’s so key, especially for rural entrepreneurs—giving them more of a fighting chance to stay competitive.Digital is everything now. Back in my early ventures, if you missed a fax, well, you missed the opportunity. These days, you miss a Slack, you just scroll back up. Where was I going with this? Oh right—resources are more, sort of, accessible. Infrastructure means more than just roads, it’s broadband, it’s business advice, even community co-working spaces. That’s so different from when I started out.And the council’s really asking people to have their say in shaping Wiltshire’s future—eight engagement events around the county this summer, and the draft council plan out for input. They’re even talking about a 10-year vision, with sessions from Malmesbury to Melksham. Feels like residents and business owners are being invited in rather than just handed a fait accompli.It makes a difference, doesn't it? When you feel heard, you’re more invested in what comes next. I’d have loved that when I was struggling for my first business grant. What’s changed, Fiona, isn’t just the bureaucracy—it’s the dialogue. That’s a win, really.Speaking of wins, there’s big news from Westminster too—Wiltshire’s MP Danny Kruger popped over to Swindon’s Convergent Technology Ltd, after they landed a hefty £500,000 government grant for R&D. He’s calling it a prime example of what government backing can do for local innovators.Spot on. And he’s also laid out some policy updates—especially for Salisbury and Devizes. New measures to extend business rates relief for retail and hospitality. After the tough times that sector’s had… this could really help mom-and-pop shops ride things out a bit longer. Not a silver bullet, but useful.Yeah, and, Jim, we’ve been getting loads of listener questions about what these national policy shifts might actually mean in real life here in Wiltshire. Like, is this just a top-down “tick the box,” or will it bolster resilience on the ground? Looking through the latest parliamentary statements, it seems the aim is definitely to shield vulnerable sectors, keep jobs, and—ideally—spark further innovation.Yeah, I might be wrong here, but I think it’s that layered approach. Grants, business rates relief, and then those big visionary plans—like the Local Plan the council’s planning to submit this year, right? It’s all interlinked. If all the pieces fit, Wiltshire could become a blueprint for how rural regions bounce back and, actually, push ahead.That’s the hope. And with the Wiltshire Business Show taking place on the 17th and the 18th of September at the Civic in Trowbridge, there's one more networking opportunity to air these issues—there’ll be plenty to watch. We’ll bring you all the highlights, of course.So that brings us to the end of today’s wrap—but as always, if you’ve got a question or a hot tip, drop us a line. I’m Jim James—Fiona, always a pleasure bouncing the Wiltshire headlines around with you.Thanks, Jim. I’ll see you bright and early for the next pulse check. Bye everyone, stay curious and keep those questions coming!

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