As Causeway Coast and Glens put plans in place for economic development within the Borough with support from the Regional Balance Fund, officers have welcomed Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to their first meeting.
Earlier this year it was announced that £45m had been allocated by the Department for the Economy across all 11 NI councils to help drive economic development.
Supported by the Department and Invest Northern Ireland, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will now develop proposals in line with the Minister’s economic plan in order to create enticing jobs and increase productivity in the Borough, while also improving regional balance and decarbonisation.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Councillor Ciarán McQuillan said: “Thank to Minister Archibald for joining our first Local Economic Partnership meeting this week.
“We were delighted to welcome Minister Archibald for joining us at our first Local Economic Partnership meeting to discuss our initial plans to use the £4.5m we have been allocated from the Departments Regional Balance Fund over the next three years.
“I am confident that with support from her department we will be able to put plans in place to drive growth here in our Council area and make it an even more desirable place to live, work and invest in.”
The support comes after the Minister’s Sub-Regional Economic Plan included the establishment of Local Economic Partnerships (LEPs) in each council area to help identify each areas specific needs and plan the interventions needed to aid economic development.
Minister Archibald commented: “These Partnerships will identify the main barriers to economic development and the priority interventions that will build the region’s value proposition. My Department will recalibrate its programmes and budget to help meet these priorities. Partnerships will also have additional dedicated funding to support local action.
“The Partnerships will drive economic development across the north, helping to deliver a regionally balanced economy where everyone shares the benefits of prosperity.”
For more information on the Regional Balance Fund visit: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald is pictured with Pat Mulvenna (Chair Causeway Coast and Glens Local Economic Partnership and Director of Leisure & Development), Des Gartland (Invest NI) and Karen Yates (Causeway Chamber).