The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens has commented on today’s Autumn Budget announcement, in which the Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the paused funding for Growth Deals in both Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West and has been lifted.
The Mayor, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan said: “I am extremely relieved that the Chancellor has today reinstated the Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal funding therefore choosing to invest in the economic future of our Council Area.
“I am delighted that Westminster responded so positively to our calls for their decision to be overturned and we now look forward to using this support to aid growth, improve regional balance and create more well-paid jobs.
“In locations such as Bushmills, Dungiven, and Cushendall, the planned investment will create opportunities for economic growth in our rural communities and on the ‘innovation agenda’, work on projects, including the £22m Centre for Food and Drug Discovery (CFDD) in Coleraine, will be able to progress.
“Today we have already re-engaged with partners involved in our Growth Deal projects and we collectively welcome the announcement that the UK Government has now reinstated this funding commitment.”
“This good news about the Growth Deal has been made even better by confirmation that the Chancellor has also un-paused the ‘up to £20m’ Town Centre funding for Coleraine. All in all, this has been a good news day for Causeway Coast and Glens.”
