Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Bréanainn Lyness and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Interim Chief Executive, Valerie Watts, with representatives from the six partner local authorities, MEA representatives and BRCD representatives.
An update on investment in Mid and East Antrim through the Belfast Region City Deal was top of the agenda yesterday (Wednesday 26 March) at the Joint Council Panel meeting - hosted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Representatives from six partner local authorities attended the meeting to review the significant progress being made on the £1billion programme of investment across NI through the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD).
Mid and East Antrim is benefitting from approximately £80 million of capital investment, with momentum building for three projects in the area: the regeneration of the historic town of Carrickfergus, the creation of an i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre in Ballymena, and the further development of The Gobbins at Islandmagee as a world-class tourism attraction.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Bréanainn Lyness, chaired the meeting and said:
“Today’s meeting highlights the transformative power of the Belfast Region City Deal for Mid and East Antrim. The £80 million in capital investment, is delivering visionary projects that will redefine our Borough. It will drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance our local area for decades to come.
“The regeneration of Carrickfergus as a heritage-led tourism hub, the pioneering i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre in Ballymena, and the expansion of The Gobbins into a world-class attraction are more than just developments, these our investments in our people, our skills and our future. Carrickfergus alone is set to boost our local economy by £9 million, create over 150 jobs in tourism, and cement its place as the starting point of the Causeway Coastal Route.
“This is a pivotal moment for Mid and East Antrim. As a Council, we are determined to maximise this investment, ensuring it delivers prosperity, innovation, and pride across our communities.”
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Interim Chief Executive, Valerie Watts, provided updates on progress across the region including the status of Business Cases and Contracts for Funding - alongside key highlights on progress being made by all partner organisations.
She added:
“Excellent progress is being made across the programme of investment, which is now well into delivery phase, creating jobs, and leveraging further private sector investment. Over half the projects are already in delivery including 13 projects at design stage and five with planning approvals.
“Construction work has commenced on the iREACH Health project in Belfast, whilst construction is nearing completion at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Global Point in Newtownabbey. A significant milestone for the programme will see Studio Ulster, located at Belfast Harbour Studios on the North Foreshore move into full operations this year.
“In the Mid and East Antrim Council area, we are working tirelessly to realise our vision for Ballymena, Carrickfergus and phase two of The Gobbins. These projects are crucial to growing our economy and delivering future prosperity. The significant progress that’s been made is thanks to the strength of the Belfast Region partnership and represents significant momentum since deal signing.”
Also attending the meeting was Professor Frank Lyons from Ulster University. Professor Lyons presented to the Council panel on the Creative Industries Skills Assessment, providing an overview of the sector’s current and future skills needs. His presentation highlighted key challenges, including talent development, digital skills adoption, and the need for stronger industry-education collaboration. He also discussed the role of BRCD funded Studio Ulster, a cutting-edge virtual production facility, in positioning Northern Ireland as a leader in immersive technologies and digital content creation.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Acting Director of Development, Jonathan McGrandle, provided an update on Mid andEast Antrim Borough Council’s portfolio of projects - with a particular focus on the Carrickfergus Regeneration project - a planned investment of more than £42m to regenerate, reposition and rebrand the town as an authentic, heritage-led tourism hub and the ‘must-visit’ starting point to the internationally recognised Causeway Coastal Route.
It’s anticipated that the Carrickfergus investment would boost Mid and East Antrim’s economy by more than £9m and create around 155 jobs in visitor attractions. Annual visitor numbers to the town’s Castle would be expected to rise and construction work is expected to create more than 140 jobs.
The total BRCD investment programme of £1bn from the UK Government, Northern Ireland Executive and BRCD partners, further supplemented by private sector investment, aims to create 20,000 new and better-paid jobs across the region’s growth sectors – acting as a gamechanger for inclusive economic growth.
For more information about the Belfast Region City Deal visit www.belfastregioncitydeal.co.uk