Invest NI-backed projects bring £20m investment and 106 new jobs to Mid & East Antrim

Invest Northern Ireland support has helped secure £20 million of business investment across the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council area over the past year, with 106 new jobs set to be created as a result.

New performance figures for 2025/26 show investment in the borough more than doubled compared with the previous year, with Invest NI providing more than £4 million in support to businesses to drive innovation, improve productivity and expand operations.

The latest results highlight growing confidence among local businesses and represent a significant boost for the borough’s economy, with companies across Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus benefiting from funding, advice and specialist programmes.

Investment more than doubles

Invest NI says its financial support has enabled businesses across the borough to undertake major investment projects while creating high-quality employment opportunities.

According to the agency, more than 90 per cent of the new jobs supported during the year will pay salaries above the private sector median wage.

Speaking about the results, Iain Joannides, Head of Eastern Regional Business at Invest NI, said the increase in support reflected both stronger investment and greater business ambition across the area.

“Our support to businesses in the Mid & East Antrim area in 2025/26 means that the amount of assistance offered in the area increased this year, with higher levels of investment and more jobs being created,” he said.

“This also shows the commitment of businesses in the area to grow and, as a direct result, create new jobs. These new jobs are also good-quality jobs, with over 90 per cent paying salaries above the Private Sector Median.”

Local companies investing in innovation

Among the businesses benefiting from Invest NI support are Norbev, JB Door Systems and Larne-based Raptor Photonics.

Raptor Photonics is investing almost £750,000 in research and development to develop advanced imaging technologies aimed at delivering new products and solutions to customers around the world.

Invest NI has offered the company £244,436 towards the project.

The agency said supporting research, innovation and productivity remains central to helping Northern Ireland businesses compete in international markets while creating sustainable local employment.

Support reaching more small businesses

Invest NI says it is now working with more businesses in Mid & East Antrim than ever before through initiatives including its Ambition to Grow programme and Business Innovation Grant.

According to Mr Joannides, 29 entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the borough have already been supported through these programmes to innovate, grow sales outside Northern Ireland and create quality jobs.

“We are working with more companies in the area than before, thanks to our programmes Ambition to Grow and Business Innovation Grant,” he said.

“These programmes are helping us reach small businesses that previously would not have been able to access Invest NI support. We have helped 29 entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Mid & East Antrim area innovate, create good jobs and increase external sales through these programmes to date.”

Partnership with council continues

Invest NI also highlighted its ongoing partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to help identify businesses with export potential and connect them with additional support.

Over the past year, the organisations jointly delivered regional business advice clinics and Ambition to Grow drop-in sessions in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus, alongside business breakfasts covering topics including access to finance, exporting, research and development, skills and productivity.

The agency said these events are designed to help businesses of all sizes access expert guidance, explore new opportunities and build connections with other local companies.

Invest NI has also updated its Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Briefing, which now includes data showing the level of support provided across the borough over the five-year period from 2021/22 to 2025/26.

The latest figures indicate a year of significant growth in investment activity and suggest continued collaboration between Invest NI, local businesses and the council will remain a key driver of economic development across Mid & East Antrim.