A reference center in advanced technologies for defense, aerospace, and space: the project of “Tech Valley” from the Aix-en-Provence business district is launched. This Wednesday, this new hub of the Paap, which aims to be “of national scope,” was presented in one of the amphitheaters of The Camp. On fifteen hectares, including 40,000m² of offices and activity premises, research laboratories, training centers “positioned in both civil and military markets of light aeronautics,” will be established in a zone of the Aix les Milles aerodrome, labeled France 2030.
Here, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and technologies with “high strategic value” will also be developed… “This project is already on the desk of the European Commissioner [for industrial strategies],” said Jean-François Dubost, president of Paap and former deputy in charge of finances for the City. The project, which is ambitious, is supported by the association of companies in the Pays d’Aix (Paap), Edeis concessions, the public service delegation of the aerodrome, the sub-prefecture, Safe competitiveness cluster but also the City, and Semepa, responsible for the redevelopment of a three-hectare site, including a former building of the Southern Air Region Headquarters. “We are ready to contribute to this great project,” reported Eric Chevalier, its president and deputy mayor of the City. The objective, in agreement with the state and under the impetus of Jean-François Dubost, was to acquire land from the state and design the project to allow the installation of this “space” city. We are moving forward rapidly.
So where is this project now? According to Sabine Montiès, director of investments at Edeis Concessions, the design studies are complete. The first work could start in mid-2027.
“The first industrial sector in the region is aeronautics,” pointed out Jérôme Perrin, general director of the Safe cluster, who conducted studies on the needs and aeronautical sectors around the future Tech Valley. “Since the aerospace industry in the east of the region and aeronautics in the west, with a strong concentration in the Bouches-du-Rhône and the territory of the Metropolis.” Establishing the Tech Valley in Aix follows an economic logic and aims to have a capacity to accommodate 2,500 employees, as well as a training reserve and a business nursery of about 5,000m². While the project is economically “feasible,” according to Jérôme Perrin, he specifies that “we don’t have a major group telling us to settle on the Aix-en-Provence site. We will have to convince on a case-by-case basis.” For the (UDI) mayor, Sophie Joissains, this project is an opportunity to “progress” towards a “flourishing and future economy, which allows us in the coming years to be as efficient as possible.” While remaining “reserved” on aeronautics: “We have extremely vigilant residents about noise nuisances.” Another perspective on this project comes from Colonel Guillaume Michel, chief of staff to the General Commander of the Air and Space School, defense. And to prepare “Our minds. Not for war, but to avoid it.”
