Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald has joined Council staff and local Economic Partnership members to announce over £4.5 million of investment in Causeway Coast and Glens.
Wednesday 3rd December saw the formal announcement from the Department for the Economy of the approval of the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Action Plan 2025–2028; with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council being the second of 11 Councils to have their action plan approved.
The funding of just over £4.5 million will see the Borough benefit from support through the Regional Balance Fund to be spent by March 2028.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “We are delighted today to welcome Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald to Coleraine’s recently renovated Chronicle offices.
“With just over £4.5 million of investment, the LEP will introduce a new model of joint working between Council, business, education and Government to address structural economic challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.
“On behalf of Council I would like to thank the department for their support through the Regional Balance Fund.”
This announcement highlights the importance of the Local Economic Partnership for the Borough and underlines the new ‘place based approach’ bringing together Council, local businesses, the further and higher educational sector partners and also Government departments to achieve a shared goal.
Congratulating the partnership on reaching this important milestone the Minister said: “Local Economic Partnerships empower local stakeholders to agree on their economic priorities and deliver interventions that will address these priorities.
“I am delighted at the level of ambition that you have set in your Action Plan and look forward to the projects coming to fruition as you work to address regional balance and improve the livelihoods of local people.”
The Causeway Coast and Glens Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Action Plan sets out a three-year, place-based programme designed to strengthen economic resilience, boost productivity, enhance innovation, and build long-term prosperity across the Borough.
Developed in response to the Department for the Economy’s Sub-Regional Economic Plan and its Regional Balance Fund, the Plan is underpinned by local and business engagement and cross-sector collaboration.
The Department for the Economy has announced over £4.5 million of investment as part of the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Action Plan 2025–2028. Pictured at the formal announcement are (l-r) Pat Mulvenna, Director of Leisure & Development and Chair of the Local Economic Partnership; Councillor Oliver McMullan; Oisin Duffy, Local Economic Partnership Manager; Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald; Iain Joannides, Executive Director of Regional Business, Invest Northern Ireland; and Martin Bowles, Senior Policy Adviser, Department for the Economy.
Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, pictured alongside Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, as the Department announced over £4.5 million of investment as part of the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Action Plan 2025–2028.
Members of Causeway Coast and Glens Local Economic Partnership (LEP) pictured at the recently renovated Coleraine Chronicle building in Coleraine. The group are pictured alongside Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, and Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan.
Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, pictured alongside Pat Mulvenna, Director of Leisure & Development and Chair of the Local Economic Partnership, as the Department announced over £4.5 million of investment as part of the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Action Plan 2025–2028.