Economic Development Strategy Rural Needs Impact Assessment

Developing a            Policy    ☐         Strategy   ☒          Plan   ☐ 

Adopting a                Policy   ☐          Strategy   ☐           Plan   ☐

Implementing a         Policy   ☐          Strategy   ☒           Plan   ☐ 

Revising a                 Policy   ☐          Strategy   ☒           Plan   ☐ 

Designing a Public Service   ☐ 

Delivering a Public Service   ☐ 

To define the work of the service area for the next 2 years – economic recovery.
To define the work of the service for the following 10 years – economic renewal.
To encapsulate the themes for the area’s Growth Deal. 

Our programmes are open to businesses, regardless of geography or background.  However some of the projects will have an increased impact on rural areas for example the improvement of technology in the borough, should have a more positive effect socially on the lives of rural individuals and areas where there previously was poor connection.  This would facilitate small businesses to promote themselves and in some instances encourage an on-line presence and additional sales; this was of particular importance during covid as it facilitated the signposting of support.   In addition the development of a rural business which generally are family run businesses which employs individuals who live locally; would in turn improve the economic outlook for that area.  Examples of this relate to the on-going promotion of local food producers, town and village management and regeneration.  

SECTION 3 -
Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas

Consultation with Rural Stakeholders      ☒            Published Statistics    ☒

Consultation with Other Organisations    ☒            Research Papers        ☐

Surveys or Questionnaires                      ☒            Other Publications       ☐  

Other Methods or Information Sources (include details in Question 3C below). ☐ 

• RDP Local Action Group
• Invest NI
• University of Ulster
• North West Regional College
• Northern Regional College
• Chambers of Commerce – Causeway, Limavady, Ballycastle, Ballymoney
• Taste Causeway, Tourism groups and other sector specific groups across the Borough 

• Covid Recovery Questionnaires to retailers across the Borough 
• Sample questionnaires to businesses in a variety of sectors across the Borough to detail needs for recovery

The following is a summary of the overarching elements identified through the analysis of need for the Causeway Coast and Glens Strategy:

• Economic Impacts:
  Job creation is the priority; 
  Poverty reduction;
  Economic prosperity;        
  Opportunities for young people;
  Business opportunities for women.       

• Social Impacts:
  Promoting social inclusion; 
  Village enhancement –vibrant villages.   

• Also mentioned:
  Basic service provision;
  Good community infrastructure;
  Empowering  local  people  to  get  more  involved  in  their  community  issues  and  also empowering business people to be better entrepreneurs.

Many of the themes raised within the consultation for the economic development strategy are now covered within the wider document.  

This includes the need to ensure that programmes such as Alchemy and Business Start are accessible to and promoted in rural areas, or rather that enhanced promotion needs to take place. 

Prosperity and Place undertakes regular roadshows to promote its services, and this always includes harder-to-reach areas in rural districts as well as Rathlin Island. 
In addition improvements to the digital infrastructure of the Council area has and will continue to support increased business utilisation; therefore a central hub can be accessed via the web, by email or telephone to support entrepreneurs.    In addition information can be supplied in alternative formats or languages.