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The Post‑Industrial Landscape of Ebbw ValeThe Guardian’s visit to the Welsh valleys town revealed a quiet streetscape where former steelworkers' legacy is replaced by a hospital, leisure centre, college and a handful of tech firms. John Edwards, 77, volunteer at the Ebbw Vale Works Museum, describes the town as a commuter hub for Cardiff, yet locals still feel the sting of "no jobs".Regeneration Efforts and New InfrastructureSince the steelworks shut in 2002, the area received the maximum EU structural funding, channelled into:Modern public buildings on the old siteA new railway station opened in 2015A public‑private cybersecurity research centre and two tech firmsThe Goldworks coworking hub launched in 2024These projects aim to reposition Ebbw Vale as part of the Welsh government’s £100 million "Tech Valleys" programme.Employment and Funding Figures Since the Steelworks Closure62% of the town’s 18,000 voters chose Leave in the 2016 EU referendum – the highest proportion in Wales.EU funding was the highest per‑capita in Wales, yet median real wages have continued to fall since the early 2000s.Blaenau Gwent council reports a net gain of 870 new local businesses over the past decade, up from 511 in the previous ten years.Three tech companies now occupy the former steelworks site, alongside the Goldworks hub.Why Brexit and Funding Gaps Still Haunt the CommunityResidents like Claire Jones (52) recall the visible EU presence before the vote and question why the town voted Leave despite the cash influx. Plaid Cymru Senedd member Lindsay Whittle says the vote exposed deep‑seated despair and a feeling of being left behind. A Bevan Foundation report concluded that the EU money “didn’t boost the fortunes” of Blaenau Gwent, suggesting the funds largely “went straight down the drain”.Outlook: Prospects for Growth and Community SentimentWhile the joint growth blueprint with neighbouring Torfaen seeks to leverage Welsh government investment, locals such as butcher Nathan Grist (40) report only marginal improvement and a continuing cost‑of‑living squeeze. The town’s future hinges on whether the Tech Valleys programme can translate new businesses into sustainable employment, or whether the lingering regret over Brexit will keep the community in a cycle of economic stagnation.