Business investment more than doubles to £20m in Mid and East Antrim

MEA Director of Growth & Major Projects Ryan Black; MEA Assistant Director of Economic Development Ursula O'Loughlin; Mayor Thomas Gordon; and Iain Joannides from Invest NI

Business investment in Mid and East Antrim has more than doubled to £20 million in the space of a year, with support offered through Invest Northern Ireland expected to help create 106 new jobs across the borough.

More than 90% of those jobs are expected to pay above the private sector median salary, according to Invest NI’s 2025/26 performance results.

The figures also show Invest NI offered more than £4 million in assistance to businesses in Mid and East Antrim during the year, aimed at supporting innovation, productivity and growth.

£20m investment and 106 new jobs

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has welcomed the results, which point to increased business investment at a time when the borough is seeking to strengthen its manufacturing base, encourage innovation and create higher-value employment.

The £20 million investment figure is more than double that recorded in the previous year.

Invest NI’s Client Performance Indicators also show the agency supported 92 businesses in Mid and East Antrim in 2025. Together, those companies employed 7,450 people and generated £1.6 billion in external sales, including £441 million in exports outside Northern Ireland.

Advanced engineering and manufacturing accounted for 55% of those export sales, followed by agri-food at 23% and construction at 15%.

The figures underline the importance of manufacturing and engineering to the local economy, with the borough home to 5,285 registered businesses and more than 44,000 employee jobs.

Mayor welcomes employment opportunities

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said the Council was committed to supporting businesses ranging from new entrepreneurs to established international exporters.

He said:

“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is committed to championing economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation throughout our local area. Whether it’s working at grassroots level, inspiring and encouraging the next generation of business leaders, or working with established companies trading around the globe, we have a strong network of support available.

“Through a coordinated approach to business support, we are helping companies become more innovative, more productive and more competitive. Our collaboration extends beyond direct business support into wider initiatives focused on manufacturing, innovation and skills development, including the MTF and the future i4C Innovation and Clean Technology Centre.

“It is very positive to see significant investment being delivered in our borough by Invest NI, offering excellent employment opportunities and creating the conditions for long-term economic growth across Mid and East Antrim. These outcomes demonstrate the value of partnership working and the strength of our local business community.”

More than 1,000 jobs supported since 2018

Iain Joannides, Head of Eastern Regional Business, Invest NI, pictured with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon; MEA Assistant Director of Economic Development Ursula O'Loughlin; and MEA Director of Growth & Major Projects Ryan Black

Council and Invest NI work together through the borough’s Amplify economic development strategy, which runs from 2018 to 2030.

The model is intended to allow businesses to build their capability through local Council programmes before companies with further growth or export potential progress to Invest NI support.

According to Council, Amplify business support programmes developed in partnership with Invest NI have supported more than 1,000 jobs and generated almost £32 million in economic value since 2018.

Iain Joannides, Head of Eastern Regional Business at Invest NI, said the partnership was helping more companies gain access to support.

He said:

“Our strong partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council continues to help businesses access the right support at the right time. By working together, we’re reaching more businesses than before and we’re helping them drive innovation, investment, and growth. Our close relationship ensures businesses engaging with Council programmes and demonstrating export potential get referred to Invest NI and can access additional support as they scale.

“Through programmes such as Ambition to Grow and the Business Innovation Grant, and our partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, we have created a seamless support network that is helping more businesses than ever before to realise their growth potential and contribute to the local economy.”

Ballymena manufacturer expands

One example highlighted by Council is the Making the Future Network, established in 2018 to bring manufacturers together to share best practice, strengthen supply chains and improve productivity.

Among its members is Demanu, which established a presence in Mid and East Antrim in 2024 and has since expanded into a larger unit at Woodside Industrial Estate in Ballymena.

Council says the company is among a growing number of local manufacturers scaling their operations with support from the local authority, Invest NI and the wider industry network.

The borough’s wider business base remains dominated by smaller firms. Of its 5,285 registered businesses, 91% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 8% are classed as small businesses. Just 1% are medium-sized and 0.3% are large.

Around three-quarters — 74% — of employee jobs in Mid and East Antrim are in the private sector, compared with 26% in the public sector.

Council and Invest NI say they will continue working with businesses and partner agencies during 2026/27, with the key measure now being how the £20 million investment and promised employment translate into jobs, expansion and economic activity on the ground across Mid and East Antrim.