Councillor warns of Ballymena bias in business funding across Mid and East Antrim

Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner

A local councillor has voiced serious concerns about what he describes as a “massive imbalance” in how business funding is being distributed across Mid and East Antrim, with the majority of grant support being funnelled into Ballymena.

At a recent Environment and Economy Committee meeting, Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner highlighted figures from a council report on the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF), which show that 16 out of 18 grants awarded so far have gone to businesses in Ballymena.

Only one firm in Carrickfergus received a grant, while no businesses in Larne were successful.

The DTFF aims to help small and micro businesses adopt innovative technologies such as robotics, sensors, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. Delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 district councils, the fund is supported by Invest NI, the NI Executive, the UK Government, DAERA, and local councils.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has a budget of £450,000 to allocate through the scheme, of which £280,000 has already been awarded. Out of 25 applications received to date, 18 were successful — 16 from Ballymena, two from Carrickfergus, and none from Larne.

Speaking at the meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, Cllr Skinner said:

“It is another example where we have a massive imbalance in Mid and East Antrim. I think we need to look at why so much of external funding is falling within such a small area. We need to spread that out.”

Council officer Ursula O’Loughlin, Head of Economic Development, explained that success depends on who applies.

“Sometimes match-funding is a challenge for companies,” she said.

Cllr Skinner responded:

“We have a number of businesses in Larne and Carrick which have cashflow. They are not coming forward.”

Ms O’Loughlin noted that this was “an example of one programme” and that some employers may not be eligible under the criteria.

Carrickfergus Castle DUP Alderman Billy Ashe MBE remarked:

“Nobody is taking a personal interest in Carrick. We need to start addressing these issues rather than do what we have always done – accept it.”

Larne Lough UUP Councillor Roy Beggs added:

“I am concerned at the spread of the applications and those successful. It is virtually all Ballymena-centric. With staff being based in Ballymena, that is where the focus is. It is not representative of companies in the borough.”

Cllr Beggs urged the council to strengthen ties with local enterprise agencies in Carrickfergus and Larne.

“We have well-regarded enterprise agencies in Larne and Carrick,” he said. “The council should look at how to have a better partnership with them to utilise their network of small companies and look at mechanisms to ensure there is a spread of applicants throughout the borough.”

The council has a target of awarding 36 grants by March 2026. With half of these already allocated, two further funding calls are expected to take place before the end of the programme.

Following the meeting, Councillor Skinner told Love Ballymena:

“Mid and East Antrim already gets the least support from Invest NI across Northern Ireland, and what little we do get seems to be consistently focused around Ballymena.”

He pointed out that the vast majority of Invest NI investment in the area is squeezed into a 1.5 mile radius around the ECOS Centre in Ballymena, where their local office is based.

“I’ve suggested before that Invest NI staff, and our own economic development team, should spend time regularly in Carrick and Larne’s enterprise centres. It’s a simple way to make support visible and accessible right across the borough, and at the very least, it shows the council is serious about backing businesses everywhere in Mid and East Antrim.

“Ballymena boasts a very strong business sector, with excellent links to council and central government’s economic development teams. However, while this is to be celebrated, we can’t let it distract from the needs of the many businesses in Larne, Carrick and elsewhere who could benefit from similar support they currently are not getting.

“This isn’t about taking anything away from Ballymena. It’s about making sure businesses in Carrick and Larne aren’t left behind when it comes to funding and support.”