The agreement confirms funding for regeneration, innovation, skills and infrastructure projects across the Borough.

A £129 million Growth Deal for Causeway Coast and Glens has been formally signed, confirming the full funding package and allowing investment to begin moving into delivery. The agreement was signed on Wednesday 29th April at North West Regional College in Limavady and includes £36 million from the UK Government, £36 million from the Northern Ireland Executive and £57 million from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and delivery partners.

For Chamber members, the deal matters because it brings forward a pipeline of projects focused on productivity, innovation, skills, regeneration and visitor infrastructure. The Council says the programme is designed to respond to long-term challenges in the Borough, including below-average wages, seasonal employment and a declining working-age population.

Phase One projects represent 66% of the overall Growth Deal investment. These include Ulster University’s Centre for Food and Drug Discovery at Coleraine, Coleraine Leisure & Wellbeing Centre, North West Regional College’s Foodovation and Skills Centre in Limavady, and a regeneration programme for Dungiven town centre.

The Growth Deal also includes proposals for a Business Innovation and Incubation Hub, Bushmills Regeneration, Cushendall Innovation Centre, a parking and transport project, and the Portrush to Giant’s Causeway Greenway. Business cases for these projects are expected to be developed over the next 12 months.

The programme has wider North West relevance, particularly through North West Regional College, which is also a partner in the Derry and Strabane City Deal. Its Foodovation and Skills Centre is expected to support food sector jobs, skills training and innovation projects, creating potential opportunities for businesses in food and drink, tourism, construction, professional services and the wider supply chain.

Read the full Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal here.

The takeaway:
The Growth Deal marks a move from planning to delivery, with businesses across the wider North West likely to see opportunities through skills, innovation, regeneration and supply chain activity.