Members of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) panel met with Finance Minister, Conor Murphy to acknowledge the signing of Northern Ireland’s first City Deal.
The City Deal has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of six local councils, universities and further education colleges, supported by the NI Executive and the UK Government. It’s signing confirms the commitment by BRCD partners to deliver on over 20 major transformative projects which will take place throughout the City Deal region.
Up to £1 billion has been committed by the NI Executive, UK Government, Belfast Region City Deal partners and the private sector, to deliver on projects which focus on the Region’s growth sectors where there is potential to create world leaders. The benefits to Newry, Mourne and Down are seismic, which will see almost £200m of investment for projects based in tourism, regeneration and infrastructure as well other investments generated through digital, innovation and employability and skills.
Talking about the benefits that the BRCD will bring to Newry, Mourne and Down, Finance Minister, Conor Murphy commented, “The City Deal investment will see almost £200 million injected into the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. This will provide a massive boost to the local economy and will be truly transformative for the local community. It will see investment in a world-class tourist facility at the Mournes, regeneration of the city centre and will advance the Newry Southern Relief Road, improving connectivity across the island. I want to commend the partners who have worked tirelessly to deliver this deal.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council BRCD panel member, Councillor Robert Burgess said, “The signing of the deal creates a level of optimism amongst the economic sector that hasn’t been felt for a while. I am delighted to be a BRCD panel member and to work in collaboration on a deal that will deliver for Newry, Mourne and Down and the wider region.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council BRCD panel member, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “This is an exciting, once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate economic growth for the district in an inclusive and sustainable way, and I am pleased that we have now reached this deal-signing milestone. The BRCD will deliver projects for Newry, Mourne and Down that will open up access to the Mournes through a state-of-the-art visitor attraction, see the transformation of Newry city centre, improve our transport networks through the creation of the Southern Relief Road and turbocharge our digital and innovation industries - all of which will be underpinned by a comprehensive skills programme to improve our skills base and employment opportunities. The projects will create job opportunities, social benefits and connectivity which will no doubt have a greater positive impact on people’s lives now and in the future.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council BRCD panel member, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “I am delighted to be part of this historic event. Newry, Mourne and Down already boasts a number of world leading industries and a natural landscape that attracts visitors from across the globe. Investing in our assets to the level offered by BRCD funding will create exponential growth for our economy, skills, business opportunities, productivity and investments.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council BRCD panel member, Councillor Barra Ó Muirí said, “This is an investment for our future and I am honoured to be part of the first City Deal signing. As a support lever, there are few to compare to the BRCD and, with the collective will of the current leaders, Newry, Mourne and Down looks set for a bright future.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Executive for their investment of £16.2 million for the Albert Basin Park project. The park will play its own part in the regeneration of Newry city centre and compliment the ambitious redevelopment plans backed by BRCD investment.”
A decade of opportunity starts now.
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