‘Invest more, export more’: Economic call to action for Mid and East Antrim

Invest NI has its regional office based at Ecos Hub, in Ballymena

More businesses in Mid and East Antrim need to export, councillors have been told.

In a presentation to the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee, at a meeting, in The Braid, Ballymena on Tuesday evening, Invest NI officials also stated more businesses in the borough should be “investing” in research and development.

The committee was also informed “infrastructure is an issue right across Northern Ireland”.

“Businesses are starting to run into issues with power and water infrastructure. Unless there are improvements, they could be inhibitors to future growth”, said north eastern regional manager Des Gartland.

Mr Gartland went on to say the City Deals will bring “enormous benefits to the borough through an investment of £52m”, which he said, could “turn the curve in terms of economic performance”.

The three main Belfast Region City Deal projects in the borough are the i4C Innovation and CleanTech Centre to be developed at the former St Patrick’s Barracks site, in Ballymena, involving the construction of a new £24m innovation and “clean technology” centre for small and medium enterprises, phase two of The Gobbins, Islandmagee and the Carrickfergus regeneration project.

He also stated the Port of Larne could be an “economic driver”.

Iain Joannides, an executive director, said Invest NI wants to “engage with more businesses and more companies that want to start their export journey” and “engage with more enterprises”.

He reported that between 2019 and 2024, Invest NI provided financial assistance of £16m to 213 businesses in Mid and East Antrim resulting in £89m investment and 394 jobs.

Invest NI, whose regional office is based at Ecos Hub, in Ballymena, works with businesses including Wrightbus; K&G McAtamney; Plotbox and JB Door Systems.

As well as Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, it works in partnership with business organisations including Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ledcom; Ballymena Business Centre; Carrickfergus Enterprise and NRC.

The committee also heard that 81 per cent of adults in Mid and East Antrim are in employment, the highest in Northern Ireland, although pressures are believed to emerging in the borough “in terms of people availability and skills availability”.

Prior to 2017, the borough was the most productive area in Northern Ireland but now it is four per cent behind the Northern Ireland average which can be attributed to the closure of Michelin and Gallaher’s in Ballymena, members heard.

“We want to see more businesses in this borough exporting and more investing in research and development,” Mr Gartland said.