The Leader of North Lanarkshire Council has welcomed a landmark UK Government announcement naming the area as the latest UK AI Growth Zone.

The proposals involve an £8.2 billion investment from Chapelhall-based data centre provider DataVita, in partnership with AI technology firm CoreWeave, positioning North Lanarkshire as a premier global destination for the future data and digital economy.

The ambitious project is expected to be a major catalyst for regional employment, potentially creating 3,400 direct jobs and a total of 7,000 roles across the wider area. Furthermore, the plans include a £543 million community fund, designed to ensure the investment delivers long-term social and economic benefits to local residents.

Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, highlighted the historical significance of the move: "The AI Growth Zone could be truly transformative and is an opportunity to see the continued resurgence of North Lanarkshire, which was once the centre of Scottish heavy industry and could soon become the heart that powers the country's future data and digital economy. The people here have always had the same spirit and workforce ethic as before. North Lanarkshire didn't just power the industrial revolution; this leap in technology makes us the natural home to lead the next one."

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The council has already established a strong foundation for such large-scale digital infrastructure. North Lanarkshire holds 58% of the employment land supply for the Glasgow City Region and boasts a 340km network of full-fibre digital connectivity. This is complemented by the ongoing Pan-Lanarkshire Orbital Transport Corridor project, which is modernising the region's transport links between the M74 and M80.

To support the growing sector, the council is collaborating with educational institutions to develop a robust pipeline of digitally skilled workers. Councillor Logue added: "We have been creating the conditions for North Lanarkshire to be a place that supports economic growth, innovation, productivity and digital inclusion, and this presents an opportunity to reshape our economy, bringing huge benefits to the people who live and work here."

All proposals remain subject to the formal statutory planning process, which will include comprehensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders before any final decisions are made.