Up early and into the office before heading to a surgery at Bovington. A meeting with a representative of the Royal College of Nursing was cancelled as the lady who'd come to see me could no longer make it. Back to my office for a short while, then home to leap into a suit and then off to Winfrith to launch the Dorset Enterprise Zone. This is a truly positive investment in jobs and prosperity in S Dorset and a most welcome one. It's hoped the new site will create 2,000 jobs in the years ahead, all of them in high-skilled jobs, which we need. Thanks must go to the Dorset LEP, DCC and PDC for their work in ensuring this project came off and was funded properly. EZs are a Government initiative, aimed at creating jobs in specific areas around the country. We are most fortunate to have been chosen. The Minister was asked to officially launch the EZ but sadly could not make it, so the honour fell to me. At 1330 I arrived at the impressive, new building put up by Atlas Elektronik, and who were hosting the event. About 100 attendees came and we were treated to some delicious scones and cakes before being ushered into their new building for the speeches. The introductions were given by Jim Stewart, the newly appointed LEP Chairman. He spoke well, presenting a very different picture of S Dorset than others have done recently, and he reminded us all of just what is going on to encourage new businesses and investment. An optimistic and inspiring address, which I then followed. My speech is on the website. Cllr Cherry Brooks followed me, then John Sutcliffe, the director of business development at Atlas, ending with a short video from Kevin Witheford, the MD of SEALPAC UK Ltd, which is looking to relocate to Winfrith. We heard that these EZs came with incentives - superfast broadband, business rates and quicker planning decisions - all of which are aimed at encouraging more businesses to move to what is a stunning site. There cannot be many business parks like Winfrith, set in the countryside, with rolling hills to the south, a railway station nearby, access to the west and east of the country and national airports within easy reach. After the speeches a small team of us went to the new units and cut the ribbon. This investment is to be welcomed and will hopefully enhance the life and career chances of many people.