Wigan Metropolitan Development Company Limited (WMDC) was established in March 1980 by Wigan Borough Council as part of an industrial strategy aimed at regenerating and revitalising a borough then in the grip of deep recession. The borough, in common with many of the norths traditional industrial areas, suffered industrial closures, falling demand and increasing redundancy.

WMDC was originally funded with a development loan of £2m from Wigan Borough Council and has subsequently obtained further funding from other lending institutions.

Since 1980 the company has invested over £7m in 170,000 sq.ft. of industrial units and small factories. Additionally WMDC manages over 168,000 sq.ft. on behalf of Douglas Valley Properties Ltd including the prestigious Wigan Investment Centre which boasts 50,000 sq.ft of prime office space.