How We Can Help You
The Council's role in Economic Development is to act as a First Stop Shop - a gateway for local assistance, providing advice to businesses and the community in general as well as supporting the main government economic support agencies.
The Economic Development Section provides the following services:
- responds to local issues and provides local solutions to local problems.
- accesses EU Funds under the Local Economic Development Measure of the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.
- works in Partnership with and complements the work of other economic development organisations and agencies.
- as part of our Civic Leadership obligation tackles social problems by ensuring greater investment and employment opportunities.
- compliments the Tourism and Community Development services.
- promotes the Borough as an attractive inward investment location.
- promotes training and employment opportunities to local people.
- prepares the Borough for the Information Age.
- provides training and financial support to individuals who want to establish a new business.
- provides a "Grantfinder" service to groups seeking financial assistance.
The Council has prepared a new Local Economic Development Strategy for implementation during the period 2002-2006 to address the following themes:
- Business Start Up
- Business Development
- Infrastructure Development
- Town Centre Development
- Tourism Development
The Strategy has attracted over £2.1m from the European Union Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme and aims to create over 200 new jobs. The types of projects which will be funded include:
- Business Start Up
- Road widening scheme at Mossley West Railway Halt
- A range of business development programmes targeted at SME's
- Provision of ICT Support Units
- Promotion of the Borough to potential inward investors
- Start a Business Programme
- Expansion of Mallusk Enterprise Park
- Development of commercial space at Ballyclare Town Hall
- Establishment of Town Centre Management Company and appointment of Town Centre Manager
- Establishment of Tourism Forum
- Refurbishment of Sentry Hill
- Development of a Community Business Centre at the Green Hut/Care Centre Site in Monkstown
- Restoration and renovation of Merville House
- Provision of CCTV for Glengormley Town Centre
- Provision of Retail Security Initiative for Ballyclare
We have also been instrumental in attracting over £1m European funding from the "Leader +" Programme through the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The LEADER + programme for South Antrim officially launched in Ballyclare Townhall on Tuesday 11th February 2003. The Board of the Rural Economic Action Partnership (REAP South Antrim) will distribute the funding to help build businesses and employment in the rural areas of Newtownabbey. For example, if you are a farmer wanting to diversify, a small business wishing to expand, or anyone with a good business idea, they may have the funding, expertise and opportunities to help you succeed.
To find out more information about the programmes and the level of grant available, please go to www.reapsouthantrim.com or contact Emma Stewart (Programme Co-ordinator) Telephone 028 9448 1311 or Email admin@reapsouthantrim.com.
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