The Integrated Economic Development Strategy for Mid and ... · By 2030, we want Mid and East...

www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com

The Integrated Economic Development Strategy for Mid and East Antrim2018-2030

By 2030, we want Mid and East Antrim to be:

• Anationallycompetitiveeconomy,withoutput,productivityandwageratesatleast95%oftheUK(includingLondon)average.

• NorthernIreland’sleadingcentreofexcellenceforadvancedmanufacturingandagri-foodwithrecognisedcapabilitiesintourism,financialandbusinessservicesanddigitaltechnologies.

• OperatingwithaneconomicallyactivepopulationequalinsizeinpercentagetermstotheUK(includingLondon)average,knownforitshigh-levelskills,andprovidingcriticallabourmassinourprioritysectors.

• Aproud,vibrant,andambitiousplace,whichcollaborateswithothercentres,encouragesbusinessanditsinvestment,andisrecognisedforpeoplewantingtoliveandworkhere.

Our Vision

Our Economic Partners

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

NORTHERN REGIONAL COLLEGE INVEST NI

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

ENTERPRISE AGENCIES

CATALYST INC.

BUSINESS /COMMUNITY

Mid and East Antrim Borough

Council

IamdelightedtointroduceAmplify,thenewIntegratedEconomicStrategyforMidandEastAntrim.

TheElectedMembersofMidandEastAntrimBoroughCouncil,togetherwithourpartners,arefullycommittedtoworkingtogethertodeliversustainableeconomicgrowthinourBorough.Themessageisclear-MidandEastAntrimis‘openforbusiness’.Forme,therehasneverbeenamoreexcitingtimetoworkinlocalgovernment,aswebegintotransformnotonlyCouncilservicesbutpublicservicesrightacrossNorthernIreland.

Amplifyalignscloselywiththefocus,driveandstrategicprioritiesoutlinedintheNorthernIrelandExecutive’sProgrammeforGovernmentandthesupportingEconomicandIndustrialStrategies.WewillcontinuetoworkcloselywithcentralgovernmentcolleaguesandourMPstostrategicallypositionourBoroughasanidealplacetolive,workandinvestinby2030.

Atalocallevel‘GrowingtheEconomy’isournumberonestrategicpriority.Councilwillremainattheforefrontofdrivingchangeandpumpprimingeconomicgrowth.Withresponsibilityfordevelopingthespatialplanforourarea,wewillmaketherequiredplanningdecisions,initiatekeydevelopmentproposalsandworkcollaborativelywithallpartnersthroughourCommunityPlan,‘PuttingPeopleFirst2017–2032’.Alongwithpartners,weareideallypositionedtoleadthedevelopmentprocesstocreatejobs,supportthegrowthofnewandexistingbusinesses,developemploymentandskillsopportunitiesandsecurekeyinfrastructureinvestmentinourBorough.

Wefullyrecognisethechallengingeconomicclimateweoperateinandratherthanbedauntedbythechallengesposedbyaneconomyinflux,wehavechosentoembracechangeandstrivetoensureMidandEastAntrimisideallypositionedtoadapttoandthriveinanever-changingeconomy.

ItrustthatyouwillfindAmplifyrelevant,refreshingandmoderninitsdirection,intentandcommitment.Wecommendthisstrategytoyouandassureyouofourongoingcommitmentandconfidenceinourabilitytodeliveronitspriorities.Workingtogether,wecancontinuetoensurethatMidandEastAntrimwillremainasignificanteconomichubinNorthernIreland.WebelievethattheimplementationofAmplifywillcontributesignificantlytothefuturegrowthofnotonlytheMidandEastAntrimareabut‘NorthernIrelandplc’asawhole.

Chief Executive

Anne DonaghyChief ExecutiveMidandEastAntrimBoroughCouncil

Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East AntrimAmplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

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1 Introducing Amplify

Amplify is a new and fresh Integrated Economic Development Strategy for Mid and East Antrim, for the period 2018-2030. Amplify’s strategic framework is intended to catalyse and guide the work of all stakeholders as they strive to improve the prospects of the area’s people, businesses and communities.

www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com

AmplifyisbuiltonthestrongfoundationsoftheMidandEastAntrimBoroughCouncil’sCorporatePlan2015-2019withitsvisionof;“Workingtogethertocreateabetterfutureforall.”CriticallytheCorporatePlanplaces‘GrowingtheEconomy’asthenumberonestrategicpriorityfortheCouncilarea.

Basedonkeyevidenceandusingextensivepartnerconsultation,Amplifywillfocusondrivinganddeliveringaclearshort,mediumandlong-termstrategyrightthoughto2030.Weunderstandthattherearenoeasyshort-termsolutionstothechallengeswefaceasacommunity.Howevertogetherwefirmlybelievethattheopportunitiestoradicallygrowtheeconomyarefullyrealisableoverthedurationoftheplan.

AtitscoreAmplifywillprovidetheengineandnavigationnecessarytoplotasafeandpracticalroutetodeliveruponoureconomicandbusinessgoals.Ourareahasexperiencedsignificantchallengesinrecentyears.Amplifyseekstoprovideinnovation,certainty,andstabilityforthebenefitofourpeople,businessesandcommunities.Ourapproachhasbeenallembracingbutislaserfocusedonthekeyoutcomeswewishtodeliver.Inparallel,thestrategyhasbeendesignedwithflexibilityatitscore,allowingustoactdynamicallyandassertivelyinthefaceofnewchallengesoropportunitiesthatwilllikelyemergeacrossthedurationoftheplan.

Effectivestrategyrequiresstrongfoundationsandpillarsofaction;consequently,Amplifywillbedeliveredthroughfivecriticalstrategiceconomicpriorities:EnterpriseandEntrepreneurship;Innovation;EmploymentandSkills;InfrastructureandInclusionandWellbeing.

ThefivestrategicpillarscentraltoAmplify,complementanddovetailintotheobjectivesofthebroaderCommunityPlanforMidandEastAntrim.Thestrategyandplanacknowledgesthefactthatthepropositionofanattractiveplacetodeliverhighvaluejobs,employmentandeconomicgrowthrequiresthefurtherdevelopmentofarelevantandhighlyskilledlocalworkforce.Amplifywillfocusonapropositionwhichblendsinfrastructure,talent,technologyandlifestyletoattractbothnewinvestorsandtogrowandenhanceourlocal,vibrant,indigenousbusinesssector.

Thestrategyhasalsobeenforgedinreality.Recentseismiceconomicshockshaveresultedinsomelarge-scalejobloseswithinthehighlyprizedmanufacturingsectoracrosstheBorough.Ultimately,thetruetestofourplanandresolvewillbethewayinwhichallstakeholdersembracethisnewapproachand

turntheserecentchallengesintoopportunities.Ourmanufacturingbaseremainsahighlyprizedstrengthandourworkforcemustandwillbesupportedtopivottonewopportunitiesastheyariseoverthecomingmonthsandyears.

Inaddition,wehavecommittedtocreatingavibrantbusinessculturewithaspecificfocusonbothadvancedmanufacturingandagri-food.Wemustplaytoourstrengthsandstakeourdifferentiationinacompetitivemarket.Thestrategyhoweverwillalsosupportthegrowthofnewindustrysectors,includingdigital,tourism,financialandbusinessservices.Towncentreregeneration,tourismandmarketingaswellasstrongsupportforthecreationofanenterpriseandentrepreneurialculturewillbringafreshandrevitalisedculturetotheBorough.

Finally,theplanincludesanumberofexcitingstrategicinfrastructureprojects,whicharecurrentlylive,orunderconsideration.TheseincludetheredevelopmentoftheSt.Patrick’sBarrackssiteinBallymena;thecreationofanAdvancedManufacturingCentreofExcellence;StrategicInfrastructuralImprovementProjectsincludingRoads,EnergyandBroadbanddevelopment;aswellasmasterplansforkeytourismandregenerationprojects.Theseflagshipprojectswillbevisualandphysicalexamplesofourenergy,commitmentanddedication.

Amplify,‘ASharedVisionforGrowingtheEconomy’,proudlyannouncesthatMidandEastAntrimisopenforbusiness.Itbrokersandaffirmsthatourpartnersarecommittedtoworking‘handinglove’withourbusinessesandcommunitiestoensuretherapidandconsistentgrowthandprosperityoftheBoroughoverthenexttwodecades.

Linda Williams Director of Economic Growth, Tourism and RegenerationMidandEastAntrimBoroughCouncilLinda.williams@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

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Mid and East Antrim

Belfast

2 Situating Mid and East Antrim

The development of Amplify has drawn heavily on data produced by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, and the wider UK Office of National Statistics, with a view to characterising how the area is performing and illustrating the socio-economic profileof the Borough.

Following this data is presented through five key economic lenses - Enterprise, Skills, Innovation, Infrastructure, and Inclusion and Wellbeing - all of which operate as drivers of productivity.

Larne

Carrickfergus

Ballymena

www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com

PopulationOverall,theBoroughhasapopulationofaround138,000,whichis7.4%oftheNorthernIrelandpopulation.ItsthreemaintownsareBallymena(30,000residents),Carrickfergus(28,000)andLarne(19,000),whichhasaportwithpassengerandfreightconnectionstoScotland.

LocationTheareaislocatedclosetoBelfast,withCarrickfergusformingpartofthewiderBelfastMetropolitanArea.ThisissignificantasBelfastisthemaindriveroftheNorthernIrelandeconomy,withthecityregionaccountingforapprox20%ofNorthernIreland’spopulation.MidandEastAntrimisincloseproximitytotwoairports(BelfastInternationalandBelfastCityAirports)andBelfastandLarneHarbours.Overall,theareaisgenerallywellservedbytransportlinkswithgoodroadandrailconnectionsintoBelfast.RecentupgradestotheA8andA26havehelpedtoimproveconnectivitywiththecity.MidandEastAntrim’slocationanditsqualityofconnectivity(road,rail,portsandairports)needstobeexploitedmoreeffectivelytoattractpeopletolive,work,visitandinvestintheBorough.

TherearerelativelyhighnumbersofresidentsintheformerCouncilareasofCarrickfergusandLarnewhotravelintotheBelfastCityCouncilareaeachdayforwork.IntheformerCarrickfergusBoroughCouncilarea,5,100employedresidentsworkinBelfast(28%oftheoverallemployedpopulationofthearea)andinthefromerLarneBoroughCouncilarea,2,150employedresidentsworkinBelfast(15%oftheoverallemployedpopulationofthearea).Withrecentimprovementstotransportlinks,thereareopportunitiestoassistmoreresidentstofindworkinthecity,aswellasencouragingcityworkerstomovetoMidandEastAntrim.

Business Base Thereare4,700businessesinthearea,whichrepresents6.6%ofallbusinessesinNorthernIreland.KeyemployersincludeWrightbus,MoyParkandCigaHealthcare(basedinBallymena),CaterpillarandTerumo(basedinLarne)andAESandRyobi(basedinCarrickfergus)tonamebutafew.MidandEastAntrimhasexistingsectoralstrengthsinmanufacturing,engineering,andagri-foodwithotherkeyemployersintheenergysupplyandlifesciencessectors.

Employment by Sector ThemanufacturingsectorisakeydriveroftheMidandEastAntrimeconomy.Accordingtothe2015NIBusinessRegisterandEmploymentStatisticsthemanufacturingsectoraccountsfor9,173jobs(oneinfivelocaljobs)withdoublethelevelofemploymentcomparedtoNorthernIrelandasawholeandthreetimestheUKaverage.TheofficialmanufacturingstatisticsareduetochangefollowingtheclosuresofJTIGallaherandMichelin.‘WholesaleandRetailTrade’isanothersignificantemployerwith9,000jobs,againatahigherlevelthanbothNorthernIrelandandtheUK.MidandEastAntrimhasalowerconcentrationofjobsinhighvaluesectorssuchas‘InformationandCommunication’,‘FinanceandInsurance’and‘Professional,ScientificandTechnical’servicesrelativetoNIandtheUK.ThemostrelevantstandardindustrialclassificationcodestoAmplify’sfiveprioritysectorsareadvancedmanufacturing,agri-food,tourism,financialandbusinessservicesanddigital.

Overthelast20years,MidandEastAntrim’seconomyhasgrownfasterthantheUKandNI.

MidandEastAntrim’seconomyiscurrentlywortharound£2billioninGVA(GrossValueAdded)andhasperformedwellinrecentyears,experiencingfasterannualgrowthrelativetotherestofNIandtheUK.In2013,aquarteroftotaloutputinthelocaleconomywasattributabletothemanufacturingsector–morethantripletheequivalentshareof8%fortheUKandmuchhigherthan13%inNorthernIreland.

Productivityhasimprovedoverthelastdecade…butagapstillremains

Overthelastdecade,MidandEastAntrimhasmadesignificantprogressinimprovingtheproductivityofitsworkforce.By2013,localproductivityhadimprovedto87%oftheUKaverage(£39,000setagainstaUKfigureof£46,000,and£39,000inNorthernIreland).EvengiventherecentJTIGallaherandMichelinclosureannouncements,theprojectionsfromCambridgeEconometrics(CE)suggestthatMidandEastAntrimwillcontinuetohaveahighproportionofproductionjobswhichusuallygeneratehigherlevelsofproductivity.

Our SOCiO-ECOnOmiC PrOfiLE

Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

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…..andcontinuedgrowthispredictedfortheeconomyupto2030,butitwillbelargely‘job-less’growth

TheMidandEastAntrimeconomyisintransitionfollowingtheclosureannouncementsatmanufacturersJTIGallaherandMichelin.ProjectionsfromCambridgeEconomicsto2030takeaccountofthesejoblosses,aswellastheeconomicupliftanticipatedfromtheproposedchangestoCorporationTaxin2018.Whilsttheseprojectionsdonotallowforotherpositiveornegativeinterferenceeffectsotherthanatthetoplevel,theydohelpposesomeimportantquestionsandhighlightareasofpotentialexposuregoingforward.

MidandEastAntrimisprojectedtogrowtoa£2.8billioneconomyby2030,increasingatanannualrateof1.9%-belowtheequivalentannualgrowthrateforNI(2.3%)andtheUK(2.2%).ThisincreaseinGVAwillthereforelargelybedrivenbyproductivityimprovements,withMidandEastAntrimforecasttoclosetheproductivitygapto95%oftheUKaverage.By2030,eachworkerisexpectedtobeproducinganaverageof£54,500comparedto£59,496intheUK.ProductivityinthelocalareaisalsoexpectedtostayabovethatofNI(£52,405).

AlthoughGVAisexpectedtogrowinthecomingyears,thisislargelyexpectedtobejob-lessgrowthwithamarginalnetincreaseof1%predictedbetween2013and2030.ThisiswellbelowtheforecastemploymentgrowthratefortheUK(12.6%)andNI(9.5%)duringthisperiod.EmploymentinMidandEastAntrimisnotexpectedtoreturnto2010levelsuntil2030.

Therearesomeexpandingsectorsintheeconomy,accompaniedbyasmallcohortofmoreproductiveindustries

TherearepositivesignsfortheMidandEastAntrimeconomy,withastrongnumberofhighvalue‘expandingsectors’definedasthoseindustrieswhichwillexperiencegrowthinbothGVAandemployment.Examplesincludethe‘FinanceandInsurance’,and‘Professional,ScientificandTechnical’industries.Themostsignificantsectorexpectedtoexpandis‘Informationand

Communication’–withanincreaseinGVAofover200%andanincreaseinemploymentofover100%.AlthoughthesesectorsarecurrentlyquitesmallintermsofGVAoutput,thenewStrategicFrameworkincludesFinancialandBusinessServicesandDigitalasemergingprioritysectors.

AdjustingsectorsrefertothoseindustrieswhereproductivityimprovementsarebeingrealisedandassuchanincreaseinGVAanddecreaseinemploymentisexpected.MidandEastAntrimhasasmallcohortofadjustingsectors,suchas‘RealEstate’,‘PublicAdministration’,and‘HealthandSocialWork.’Inparticular,Manufacturingisanadjustingsector.Tominimisetheoverallimpactofjoblossesfromthissector,itisimportantthatthebenefitsofincreasedproductivityaremaximised.

fivE KEy ECOnOmiC LEnSES

Lense 1: Enterprise MidandEastAntrimneedsmorestart-upsandgrowingSmallandMediumEnterprises(SMEs)

MidandEastAntrimhasseenareductioninitsbusinessbaseinrecentyears,fallingby4%overthelastdecade.In2017,MidandEastAntrimhad552businessesper10,000workingagepopulation,whichwaslowerthantheequivalentfiguresforbothNorthernIreland(604)andtheUK(609).

EncouragingenterpriseandincreasingbusinessregistrationratesmustbeakeypriorityofAmplify.Increasingregistrationswillrequiretargetedactiontocreateanewcultureofenterprisewithinthelocaleconomyandeducationsystem,accompaniedbythenecessarysupportneededtonurturenewventures.

LikeotherpartsofNorthernIreland,broaderentrepreneurshipactivityislow

AccordingtotheGlobalEntrepreneurshipMonitor,8.8%oftheUKsworkingagepopulationhasbeeninvolvedinearlystageentrepreneurshipactivity.Overthelastthreeyears,theaveragefigureforMidandEastAntrimwas8.7%,inlinewiththeUKaverageand2.5%higherthantheaverageforNorthernIrelandof6.2%.

www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com

Lense 2: innovation MidandEastAntrimneedstodomoretoencourageandnurturebusinessinnovation

TheindustrialstructureofMidandEastAntrimpresentsanumberofeconomicchallenges,withahighproportionofenterprisesinrelativelylow-valuesectors.Forexample,in2017,29%ofallactiveenterpriseswerebasedinagriculture–higherthantheequivalentratesof25%forNIand

6%fortheUK.Theareaalsohasfewerbusinessesinvolvedinknowledge-basedactivitywithjust7%ofallenterprisesinvolvedinprofessional,scientificortechnicalindustries,wellbelowtheUKaverageof18%andbelowtheNorthernIrelandfigureof8%.TheevidencesuggeststhatthereisaneedforMidandEastAntrimtosupportmorehigh-valueandtechnology-richstart-ups,perhapsaspartofthemanufacturingsupplychain.

Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

Carrickfergus Enterprise

LEDCOm Willowbank Business Park, Larne

Ballymena Business Centre

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Lense 3: Skills LabourmarketparticipationinMidandEastAntrimishigherthanNIasawholebutagapremainswiththeUK

ThelocalpopulationinMidandEastAntrimiswellengagedinthelabourmarket,withslightlyhigheremploymentandactivityratescomparedtoNIasawhole.In2016,theeconomicactivityrateforMidandEastAntrimwas76%-abovetheequivalentrateof74%forNorthernIrelandbutbelowthatoftheUK(78%).SimilarlytheemploymentrateinMidandEastAntrim(74%)in2016washigherthantheequivalentrateforNorthernIreland(69%)buthoweverinlinewiththatoftheUK(74%).

MidandEastAntrimhasaskilledandmotivatedworkforce,butwithpotentialtoincreasehigher-levelskills

MidandEastAntrimperformsrelativelywellintermsoftheproportionofworkingagepopulationwithnoqualifications.Thelatest(2016)datashowsthat13%ofMidandEastAntrim’sworkingagepopulationhavenoqualifications,lessthanthatoftheNorthernIrelandfigure16%,howeverabovetheUKfigureof9%.

Attheoppositeendofthescale,30%ofMidandEastAntrim’sworkingagepopulationhasanNVQLevel4orabovequalification,comparedto31%inNorthernIrelandand36%intheUK.ThereforethevastmajorityofMidandEastAntrim’sworkingagepopulationhasqualificationbelowNVQLevel4,inpartreflectingthelowlevelsofknowledgeeconomyjobs.

iPC mouldings, Carrickfergus www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com

Lense 4: infrastructure MidandEastAntrimhasstrongeconomiclinkstowiderfunctionaleconomicareas,supportedbygoodtransportinfrastructure

MidandEastAntrimisadiverseareawithacomplexmixofurbanandruralplacesandimportantly,differentlinkagestowiderfunctionaleconomicareas.TheformerLarneandCarrickfergusBoroughareashavestronglinkagesandmajoroutflowsofresidentworkerstoBelfastastheregionaleconomiccentre.AccordingtoCensus2011TraveltoWorkData,therearefarmoreemployedresidentsthanjobsinCarrickfergusandLarne.Incontrast,theformerBallymenaareaismuchmoreself-containedwiththemajorityofemployedresidentsworkinginthearea.Ballymenaalsoattractsasignificantnumberofworkersitself,mainlyfromBallymoneyandAntrim.

ThestrategiclocationofMidandEastAntrimissupportedbygoodtransportinfrastructure,

facilitatingtraveltoandfromsurroundingareas.InadditiontohourlyraillinksfromallthreetownsintoBelfast,MidandEastAntrimbenefitsfromitsownportlocationatthePortofLarneandcloseproximitytoairports(BelfastInternationalandGeorgeBestBelfastCity).RecentupgradestotheA8andA26havehelpedtoimproveroadtravelbetweenthelocalareaandBelfast.

AveragehousepricesintheBorougharethefourthlowestinallCouncilareasinNorthernIreland

AccordingtotheNIHousePriceIndexNovember2017,theaveragecostofahouseintheBoroughis£123,234,thefourthlowestofallcouncilareasinNorthernIreland.AttractivehousepriceshelppositiontheareaasadesirableplacetoliveforthoseworkinginBelfastandsurroundingareas,increasingtheresidentpopulationandgeneratinganewstreamofspendinginthelocaleconomy.

A8, Larne

Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

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MidandEastAntrimhasuntappedtourismpotential

Theareaboastsanumberoftouristattractions,includingCarrickfergusCastle,theCausewayCoastalRouteandTheGobbins’CliffandCoastalPath.WorkingwithneighbouringCouncilareasandTourismNorthernIreland,Councilwillexploitthisuntappedtourismpotentialthroughpromotion,collaborationandfurtherinfrastructureimprovements,aspartoftheTourismStrategyfortheregion.

TheavailabilityofsuperfastbroadbandinMidandEastAntrimismixed,withissuesremaininginmoreruralareasoftheregion

In2014,86%ofpremisesinCarrickfergushadaccesstosuperfastbroadband.ThiswashigherthantheequivalentratesforNI(77%)andtheUK(75%).However,superfastprovisionwasconsiderablylowerinotherareasofMidandEastAntrim,with63%ofpremisesinLarneand62%ofpremisesinBallymenaabletoaccesshighspeedconnections.Withalackofavailabilitypersistentinruralareas,thereisaneedtoacceleratetheNorthernIrelandBroadbandImprovementProjecttoaddresstheseissuesanddeliveramorelevelplayingfieldthroughoutMidandEastAntrim.Withhigh-speedbroadbandrecognisedasakeydriverofproductivity,therearealsoopportunitiestomaximisetheinfrastructurethatisalreadyinplacebyprovidingadditionalbroadbandsupporttobusinesses.

Availabilityofemploymentland….butalackofbusinessaccommodation

ThereareareasofemploymentandindustriallandavailablefordevelopmentinoraroundtheBorough’sthreemaintowns.Withover300hectaresofzonedland,lessthan50%iscurrentlydeveloped.MostavailabilityistobefoundatWoodsideRoadinBallymena,TroopersLaneandKilrootintheCarrickfergusareaandLarneHarbourandDrumahoeinLarne.

ThereispotentialthatlargerbusinessesinterestedininvestingintheBoroughmaybeinapositiontodevelopsomeofthesesites.

AlotoftheexistingaccommodationforsmallbusinessesismanagedbythethreeEnterpriseAgencies.

BallymenaBusinessCentrehasover100unitsaround100,000sq.ftofworkspaceandofficespaceacrossfivesitesaroundBallymenaandis95%occupied.CarrickfergusEnterprisehas54,000sq.ofworkspaceandofficespaceandis100%occupied.LEDCOMhasaround100,000sq.ofworkspaceacrossit`sWillowbankBusinessParkwith90%occupancyandLEDCOMIndustrialEstatewith80%occupancy.

Newbusinessaccommodationofaround20,000sq.ftisnowavailableatTheInnovationCentreatEcos,Ballymena.Thefacilityprovides‘sciencepark-styled’sharedandprivateworkspaceswithmeetingspaceandbusinesssupport.Evenwiththisdevelopment,stakeholderfeedbackindicatedthatmorespaceforbothstart-upsandestablishedfirmsisrequired.

www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com

Theongoingneedtoregeneratetownsandvillages

LarnehasbenefittedfromCouncil’srecentinvestmentintheirpublicrealminfrastructure,completedin2017,alongwithBallymenadueforcompletionearly2018.ImprovementswerealsomadetoCarrickfergustowncentre.However,withastrugglingretailsectorandlimitednight-lifeoffering,thereremainssignificantworktoregeneratealltownsandvillagesacrossMidandEastAntrim.

TheNorthernIrelandretailvacancyrateis15%.ComparabledatashowsBallymenavaccancyrateis13%,withLarne18%andCarrickfergus29%.

OneimportantrecentinitiativewasthecreationofNorthernIreland’sfirstBusinessImprovementDistrict(BID)inBallymena.Thisbusiness-ledprogrammewillinvestupto£1millionoverthenextfiveyearsinpromotingandregeneratingBallymena’stowncentre.

InvestmentintheBorough’sruralvillagesandsettlementswillalsobeimportanttoimprovetheopportunitiesforlocalresidents,butalsointermsofstrengtheningthetourismpotentialofthearea.TherurallandscapeisamajordrawforvisitorstoMidandEastAntrimandthereforethefacilitiesandinfrastructureneedtobeinplacetomaximisetheeconomicimpactoftourism.

Lense 5: inclusion and Wellbeing EconomicinactivityinMidandEastAntrimislowerthanforNIasawhole,buttherehasbeenanincreaseinthenumberofpeopleclaimingbenefits

In2016,theeconomicinactivityrateinMidandEastAntrimwas24%-belowtheequivalentrateof26%forNIbutabovethatoftheUK(22%).Despitethis,therehasbeenanincreaseinthenumberofpeopleclaimingatleastonetypeofbenefitinrecentyears.Benefitclaimantsinthelocalarearosefrom12,400in2008toover15,570in2017–anincreaseofapproximately25%.Despitethis,theclaimantrateinMidandEastAntrimisnow18%whichislowerthantheNorthernIrelandrateof19%.

DeprivationinMidandEastAntrimisbelowNIlevelsbutpocketsremaininvariouscommunitiesandhousingestates

Acrossthe11Councilareas,MidandEastAntrimhasthefifthlowestproportionofthemostdeprivedsuperoutputareasaccrossNorthernIreland.Around12%ofthesuperoutputareasinMidandEastAntrimareconsideredtobeinthetop20%mostincomedeprivedareasacrossNorthernIreland.Similarly,17%ofthesuperoutputareasinMidandEastAntrimisinthetopmostemploymentdeprivedareasinNorthernIreland.Althoughthereisalreadygoodsupportprovidedbyarangeofsocialenterprises,thesecommunitiesneedmoreintensivesupporttobetterequipthemtobeabletocontributeto,andbenefitfromfutureeconomicgrowthinthelocaleconomyandthesurroundingareas.

12-13

Ballymena Town Centre

Larne Town Centre

Carrickfergus Town Centre

Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

Building real economic capacity and capability

Improving the profile and branding of Mid and East Antrim, for Foreign Direct Investment

STrATEgiC PriOriTy

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

innovation

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

Employment and Skills

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

infrastructure

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

inclusion and Wellbeing

rATiOnALE

RATIONALE

Too much reliance on a small number of employers...

Need more start-ups and growth from indigenous firms

Need to attract more business investment into the area

RATIONALE

Low levels of innovation and limited higher

education engagement

Low number of Knowledge Economy jobs

RATIONALE

Risk of losing highly skilled workers

Need to move skills up the value chain and also improve

employability skills

RATIONALE

Untapped potential of local environment and assets and need to regenerate

towns and villages

Need to use land and property assets better to showcase and promote the Borough

for investment

RATIONALE

Continuing pockets of deprivation and economic

inactivity

Insufficient awareness of job opportunities in

some areas

5 sectoral emphasis: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Tourism, Financial and Business Services + Digital

OBjECTivES

OBjECTIVES

Increase birth rate and growth of local firms

Create a culture of enterprise in the business

and education system

Grow the indigenous business base and attract new inward

investment

OBjECTIVES

Increase the level of innovation, research and development

and further education/higher education engagement

Encourage new technology firms to the area

Develop a strong innovation ecosystem

OBjECTIVES

Retain as many jTI/Michelin skills as possible

Change mindset towards entrepreneurship and

vocational training

Support local firms to grow through tailored

skills support

OBjECTIVES

Improve profile of the Borough for investment

and tourism

Improve start-up accommodation/grow-on

space and superfast broadband connectivity

Improve towns and villages and east-west connections

OBjECTIVES

Increase economic activity levels

Promote employment and training opportunities

for all

Promote social economy

Strong Strategic Fit

3 The Strategic Economic Priorities

Building real economic capacity and capability

Improving the profile and branding of Mid and East Antrim, for Foreign Direct Investment

STrATEgiC PriOriTy

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

innovation

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

Employment and Skills

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

infrastructure

STRATEGIC PRIORITy

inclusion and Wellbeing

rATiOnALE

RATIONALE

Too much reliance on a small number of employers...

Need more start-ups and growth from indigenous firms

Need to attract more business investment into the area

RATIONALE

Low levels of innovation and limited higher

education engagement

Low number of Knowledge Economy jobs

RATIONALE

Risk of losing highly skilled workers

Need to move skills up the value chain and also improve

employability skills

RATIONALE

Untapped potential of local environment and assets and need to regenerate

towns and villages

Need to use land and property assets better to showcase and promote the Borough

for investment

RATIONALE

Continuing pockets of deprivation and economic

inactivity

Insufficient awareness of job opportunities in

some areas

5 sectoral emphasis: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Tourism, Financial and Business Services + Digital

OBjECTivES

OBjECTIVES

Increase birth rate and growth of local firms

Create a culture of enterprise in the business

and education system

Grow the indigenous business base and attract new inward

investment

OBjECTIVES

Increase the level of innovation, research and development

and further education/higher education engagement

Encourage new technology firms to the area

Develop a strong innovation ecosystem

OBjECTIVES

Retain as many jTI/Michelin skills as possible

Change mindset towards entrepreneurship and

vocational training

Support local firms to grow through tailored

skills support

OBjECTIVES

Improve profile of the Borough for investment

and tourism

Improve start-up accommodation/grow-on

space and superfast broadband connectivity

Improve towns and villages and east-west connections

OBjECTIVES

Increase economic activity levels

Promote employment and training opportunities

for all

Promote social economy

Strong Strategic Fit

3 The Strategic Economic Priorities

14-15

3 The Strategic Economic Priorities in Focus

www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com

EnTErPriSE AnD EnTrEPrEnEurShiP

IncreasethebusinessbirthrateMidandEastAntrimarea’sgrowthhasbeenlargelydeliveredbyasmallnumberoflargemanufacturingandagri-foodemployers.Therecentmanufacturingclosureswillresultinthelossofbetween9%and13%oftotalGVAoutputs.

Thecurrentsituationpresentsanopportunitytogeneratealargenumberofnewstart-upsinthearea,tohelpcreateamorediverse,competitiveanddynamiclocaleconomy.

IncreasethegrowthoflocalfirmsAlthoughimportanttocontinuetosupportthelargeemployersthatremainintheBorough,thereneedstoberenewedemphasisonnurturingabroaderpoolofexistingSMEstogrow,innovateandexport.

TherearestrongperformingbusinessesinMidandEastAntrimandInvestNImanagesaportfolioofsome200growth-orientatedfirmsthatcanaccesstailoredsupportininnovationandexporting.

ThestrategycallsforgreaterpromotionofthesupportthatisavailablethroughInvestNIbutalsoadditionalsupportforthenexttierdowntocreateastrongerpipelineofgrowthfirmsinMidandEastAntrim.Wewanttocreatealargerpoolof

indigenousSMEsthatcangrow,exportandcreatenewemploymentopportunitiesintheBorough.TheCouncilandlocalpartnerswillhaveakeyroleindeliveringthissupport.

Createa‘CultureofEnterprise’inthebusinessandeducationsystemsDevelopinganewcultureofenterpriseneedstostartfromayoungageandmoreneedstobedonetopromoteenterpriseinourschools.AsisthecaseinmanypartsofNorthernIreland,theschoolsystemtendstofocusonacademicachievementwithaviewtoyoungpeopleprogressingontoFurtherandHigherEducation.However,thismaynotbeappropriateforallandthereshouldbemoreworkdonewithschoolstopromoteentrepreneurshipfromanearlyagethroughsimilarinitiatives.

GrowtheindigenousbusinessbaseandattractnewinwardinvestmentThemostrecentcouncilareaprofileshowsinvestmentfiguresforMidandEastAntrimfortheperiod2012-13to2016-17.Duringthatperiod,totalinvestmentwas£195m,£70mofwhichwasfromexternallyownedbusinesses.

AswellasgrowingindigenousSMEs,theareaneedstodoallitcantopositionitselfforhighqualityandsustainableinwardinvestment,throughthedevelopmentofastronginvestmentpropositionandcloseworkingbetweenCouncilandInvestNI.

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Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

innOvATiOn

Increaselevelofinnovation,researchanddevelopmentandengagementwithFurtherandHigherEducationConsultationfeedbacksuggeststhatinnovationactivityinMidandEastAntrimislowandlimitedtoanumberofthelargerfirmsintheBorough.Thelackofauniversitycampusisnotable,althoughtherearenearbylocationsinBelfast,JordanstownandColeraine.

Thereare,however,somegoodexamplesofindustry-highereducationengagementlocally.CaterpillarandWrightbusareinvolvedintheNorthernIrelandAdvancedCompositesandEngineeringCentrewithQueen’sandUlsterUniversitiesandWrightbushassetupaResearchandDevelopmentCentrewithQueen’sUniversitytodevelopcompositetechnologies.MoyParkisalsoworkingwithQueen’sUniversityonbusinessleadershiptrainingandthereareotherindividualKnowledgeTransferPartnerships(KTPs)involvinglocalfirms.

ThereisperhapsstrongerengagementbetweenlocalfirmsandFurtherEducationsector,specificallyNorthernRegionalCollege,whichhastwocampusesinBallymena,providingspecialistequipment,whichcanfacilitatefirmsattheirIntegratedManufacturingCentreinBallymena.Italsoprovidesprogrammestargetedatmicroandsmallbusinessesintheadvancedengineeringandmanufacturingsectors.

Innovationiskeytoeconomiccompetitivenessanddrivesproductivityimprovement,Amplifywillreviewthecurrentactivitytakingplacelocallyandwillusethistopromoteinnovationsupportfromtheuniversities,InvestNIandotherstoabroadernumberoffirms.Asanexample,morecouldbedonetopromoteresearchanddevelopmenttaxcredits,sothatfirmshaveabetterunderstandingofwhatiscategorisedasresearchanddevelopmentandcanthenre-investfundsintotheirbusiness.

EncouragenewtechnologyfirmstoourareaAsshowninearlierevidence,thereisalimitedpopulationofdigitalandtechnologyfirmsinMidandEastAntrimandlowlevelsofknowledgeeconomyjobs.TheredevelopmentoftheEcosCentreinBallymenawithScienceParkstyleworkspacethroughamanagementagreementwithCatalystIncisanimportantinitiative,whichwillencouragemoretechnology-basedfirmstotheBorough.However,thisisjustoneinitiativeandmoresupportneedstobeprovidedtocreatemorehigher-valuejobsinourprioritysectors,particularlyaroundadvancedmanufacturing,agri-food,financialandbusinessservicesanddigitalsectors.ThissupportcouldincludepromotingForeignDirectInvestment,creatingsuitablesitesandpremisesandthedeliveryoftailoredbusinessandstart-upprogrammes.

Developastronginnovation‘ecosystem’Wewanttocreateaneffectiveinnovationecosystemwhereallsupportagencies,businessesandcommunitiesareworkingtogethertoencourageinnovationandeconomicgrowth.Acrossallstakeholdersinpublic,privateandthirdsectors,thereisaneedtoembracenewdevelopmentsininnovation,suchastheshiftfromclosedtoopeninnovation.

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EmPLOymEnT AnD SKiLLS

RetainasmanyJTIGallaherandMichelinskillsaspossibleLocalagenciesaresupportingworkersaffectedbythetwoclosures.Thepriorityistoredeploytheseworkersasquicklyaspossible,eitherthroughhelpingthemsetupinbusiness,orbyfindingalternativeemployment,eitherinMidandEastAntrimorindeedelsewhere.Someoftheskilledlabourhasalreadymovedtoothermanufacturingfirmsandthisisimportantfortheareatoretainasmanyoftheseskilledworkersaspossible.Thereneedstobecontinuedengagementwiththetwofirmsthroughtheongoingredundancyprocessfromtherelevantbusinessandskillssupportagencies.TheworkofaManufacturingTaskForce(MTF)willsupporttheseefforts.

ChangemindsetstowardenterpriseandvocationaltrainingAmplifywillimprovetheskillsofyoungpeopletobetterequipthemfortheworldofwork.Dueinparttothepresenceoflargemanufacturingemployers,therehasperhapsbeensomecomplacencyamongstyoungpeoplethattheywillleaveschoolandimmediatelyfindajob.ThisisnolongerthecaseandthereneedstobemoreefforttopromoteenterpriseandvocationalskillsinlocalschoolsaswellaspromotingHigherEducationopportunitieswhereappropriate.Enterpriseinschoolsisnotjustaboutpromotingentrepreneurshipbutalsofosteringamorepro-active‘can-do’attitudetoworkandlearning.

Similarly,thereneedstobeanewcultureofenterprisewithinlocalbusinesses,whichencouragesongoingworkplacetrainingandcontinuousprocessdevelopment.WhatAmplifywantstoestablishisanewmindset,whereallworkersaregiventheskillssupporttheyneed;frombasicliteracyandnumeracyskillsuptohigherleveltechnicalqualifications.

Afocuswillbedevelopingstrategiesforallfiveprioritysectors(advancedmanufacturing,agri-food,tourism,financialandbusinessservicesanddigital)tobetterunderstandourassets,theopportunitiesforgrowthintheseareasandthedevelopmentneedsofourbusinesses.

SupportlocalfirmstogrowthroughtailoredskillssupportArangeofskillsandtrainingprogrammesarealreadyavailableinMidandEastAntrimthroughNorthernRegionalCollege,otherDepartmentforEconomyinitiativesandInvestNI.Theseneedtobepromotedmoreeffectivelytoensuregreatertake-upthroughevents,casestudiesandbetterknowledgeofemployerandemployeetrainingneeds.ThisneedstofocusandaligntotheprioritysectorsthatwebelievewillhelptodrivefutureeconomicgrowthintheBorough.

The innovation Centre, Ecos, BallymenaAmplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

18-19

infrASTruCTurE

ImprovetheprofileoftheboroughforinvestmentandtourismForeignDirectInvestment(FDI)hasalwaysbeenimportantfortheNorthernIrelandeconomyandtherewilllikelybenewopportunitiesfollowingtheproposedchangestoCorporationTaxin2018.Inlightofthesechanges,andmoregenerally,weneedtobereadywithastrongFDIproposition,whichcoverssitesandpremises,localskillsandlinksintoFurtherandHigherEducationsupportnetworks.

Fromaplanningperspective,thenewCouncilclearlyhasanimportantroleinfacilitatingthedevelopmentofnewsites,whereitfitswiththeLocalDevelopmentPlan.Usingitsnewresponsibilitiesforplanningandeconomicdevelopment,Councilneedstotakeaproactiveapproachtoworkingcloselywithinvestors

andcommunitiestoencouragenewemploymentopportunities.Particularlyfollowingrecentjobannouncements,CouncilandourpartnersneedtomakesurepeopleknowthatMidandEastAntrimisopenforbusiness.

Ourlocalenvironmentandqualityoflifearekeyassetsforourplace.Theareahasastrongtourismproductwithuntappedpotentialandwithfurtherdevelopment;thiscancreateeconomicbenefitsacrossbothurbanandruralpartsofMidandEastAntrim.WeneedtoincreasetheprofileofMidandEastAntrimasaplacetoinvest,live,workandvisit.

ThenewMidandEastAntrimTourismStrategyhasanimportantroleinsettingoutwhatwecandotodevelopthetourismproductandpromotion.ThenewTourismStrategyisbasedaroundfivestrategicthemes,whichaimtodeveloptheproductandenhancethevisitorexperience.• TheCausewayCoastalRoute• CultureandHeritage• EventsandFestivals• DestinationMarketing• DestinationManagement

Port of Larne www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com

Improvestart-upaccommodation/grow-onspaceandsuperfastbroadbandconnectivityThroughAmplifywewanttoincreasethenumberofstart-upsandgrowinglocalbusinesses.Weneedtohavetherightpropertyportfoliotosupporttheseaspirations.Althoughtherearesomeexistingstart-upunitsacrosstheBorough,someofwhicharemanagedbytheEnterpriseAgencies,mostoftheseareoccupied.NewaccommodationhasbeendevelopedattheEcosCentre,Ballymena,butweneedmorepremisesforstart-upsandalsothosesuccessfulfirmslookingtoexpandwithintheBorough.ThistypeofbusinessneedstobecentraltomajordevelopmentsbeingplannedaroundBallymena(StPatrick’sBarracks).LarneandCarrickferguswouldalsobenefitfromsimilarinvestments.

SuperfastBroadbandisbecomingamustformostsuccessfulbusinesses,enablingtheadoptionofnewtechnologies.ImprovingbroadbandcoverageandinfrastructureremainsapriorityparticularlyforsomeofthemoreruralpartsofMidandEastAntrim.ProjectKelvinhasprovidedtheareawithfastconnectivitytoNorthAmericaaswellasimprovedconnectivitytomainlandEurope.Weneedtomakesurewearefullyexploitingtheopportunitiesfromthisinvestment.Wealsoneedtomakesurethatbusinessesarefullyexploitingtheeconomicbenefitsofsuperfastbroadband.

ImproveourtownsandvillagesandeastwestconnectionsTowncentresareclearlyimportanthubsforinvestmentandtourism.Theyalsocontributetoasenseofplaceandqualityoflifeforresidents.TherehavebeenrecentinvestmentsinpublicrealmimprovementsandanewBusinessImprovementDistrict(BID)hasbeensetupinBallymenatoleverinmoreinvestment.However,thelackofanight-timeeconomyinthethreemaintowns,andindeedinourothermoreruralsettlements,encouragesresidentstospendtheirmoneyoutsidetheBorough.

BallymenahastraditionallybeenoneofNorthernIreland’skeyretaildestinations.However,ithassufferedrecentlyfromtheeconomicdownturnandnewtrendsinonlineandout-of-townretail.ThroughtheBIDandothersupport,theaimistoensurethatthetowncanretainitsstatusasakeyretailandcommercialhubinNorthernIreland.

Moregenerally,thereisneedtothinkmorecreativelyabouthowtomakebestuseofourtowncentres.ThisincludeshowAmplifyandcanimprovetheretailproduct,createspaceforlocaleventsandfestivals,developavibrantnight-timeeconomy,andencouragemorebusinessstart-upactivity.Simplyput,Amplifycallsforamoreinnovativeapproachtoplanningandmanagingourtownsandvillages.

MidandEastAntrimbringstogetherthethreeformerboroughsofBallymena,LarneandCarrickfergus.AsmentionedearliertherehavealwaysbeenstronglinksbetweenLarneandCarrickfergusintoBelfastbutBallymena,withitslargerpopulationandbusinessbase,hasactedmoreasaself-containedlocaleconomy.Linksbetweeneastandwesthavethereforebeenquitelimited.Inordertocreateamorecohesiveeconomy,morecouldbedoneintermsofpublictransportprovisiontobringtogetherallpartsofMidandEastAntrim.

BelfastWiderRegionCityDealAsamemberoftheBelfastWiderRegionCityDeal,MidandEastAntrimBoroughCouncilhavewelcomedtheannouncementbythePrimeMinister,TheresaMayintheNovember2017AutumnStatementofherintentiontosupportNorthernIreland’sfirstCityDeal.OurCouncilisactivelyworkinginpartnershipwithourCouncilpartnersonthesubmissionanddeliveryoftheCityDealprojects.Theseprojectswillhelpassistinthedeliveryoftheobjectivesof‘Amplify’whichfocusonanincreaseinjobcreation,GVAandproductivity.

Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

20-21

inCLuSiOn AnD WELLBEing

IncreaseeconomicactivitylevelsAlthougheconomicactivityratesarerelativelyhigh,thereremainsworktodoincertainlocationsinoururbanareas,toensureeveryonehasanopportunitytocontributetothelocaleconomy.MuchworkhasbeendoneintheNeighbourhoodRenewalAreasinBallymena,aswellasthemoredeprivedestatesinCarrickfergusandLarne.However,therecontinuestobesocialissues,whichpreventpeoplefromrealisingtheireconomicpotential.Amplifythereforecallsformoretargetingofenterpriseandemployabilitysupportinthemoredeprivedareas.

PromoteemploymentandtrainingopportunitiesforallTheobjectiveofAmplifyistogrowthelocaleconomythroughhelpinglocalbusinessesandtoensureallresidentscanfulfiltheireconomicpotential.ManyresidentsworkintheBoroughbutthereisalsoasizeablenumberthatworkoutsideMidandEastAntrim.Althoughtheirdirecteconomicoutputwillbecapturedelsewhere,alotoftheirincomewillbespentlocally(e.g.inshops,restaurantsandbars)whichinturnsustainslocalemploymentandGVA.Whensupportingyoungpeopleandtheunemployedintowork,partnersneedtopromoterelevantemploymentopportunitiesregardlessofwherethejobsarebased.Asalreadyhighlighted,therehastraditionallybeenahighnumberofresidentsfromtheformerCarrickfergusandLarneBoroughCouncilareascommutingtoBelfastforwork.Improvementstotransportlinkswillmakethiseasierinthefuture.

PromotethesocialeconomyThethemeofenterprisewhichrunsthroughthisStrategyincludesencouragingmoresocialenterprisestart-upsandpromotionofsupporttoestablishedsocialenterprises.

Therearealmost500socialenterprisesinNorthernIreland,withover12,000employeesandafurther13,000volunteers.ThesocialeconomyinMidandEastAntrimhasakeyroleintermsofpromotingsocialcohesion,neighbourhoodrenewal,helpingpeopleintoworkandimprovingtheenvironment.Socialenterprisesandcommunitygroupsmakeanimportantcontributiontodeliveringpublicandcommercialservices,aswellascontributingtothelocalretailandtourismoffer.Thereneedstobecontinuedsupportforthegoodworkthatiscurrentlybeingdeliveredbysocialenterprisesandmoreencouragementofalternativesupplychainmodels,suchasthecreationoflocalengineeringsupplierAdvanceEngineeringbytheWrightGroupinBallymena.

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SECTOrAL EmPhASiS

Advanced manufacturing

CurrentprofileManufacturingcurrentlyaccountsforafifthoflocaljobs(9,173)andaquarterofGVAoutput.AccordingtorecentresearchbyManufacturingNI,itisestimatedthattherearearound3,560jobsinadvancedmanufacturing.TheresearchalsoindicatesthatMidandEastAntrimisoneofthreeCouncilareasinwhichadvancedmanufacturingjobsareconcentrated,whereemploymentconcentrationsinthemoreadvancedaspectsofmanufacturingweretypically50percenthigherthantheNorthernIrelandaverage.

MidandEastAntrimisknownasoneofNorthernIreland’smanufacturingheartlands,andalthoughtherehavebeensomemajorrecentset-backs,theskillsandworkethicofthelocalmanufacturingandengineeringfirmsaremajorassetstobuildonfurther.ManufacturingfirmsalsoaccountforalargeshareofNorthernIrelandexports.

OpportunitiesforsectorgrowthRecognisingthatlowerlevelmanufacturingwillcontinuetoshifttolower-costeconomies,MidandEastAntrimneedstofocusonhighervalueadvancedmanufacturingthroughagreateremphasisoninnovationandcollaboration.TheareaisalreadyhometosomekeymanufacturingemployerssuchasWrightbus,CaterpillarandRyobi.

Althoughthereisexpectedtobeanetdecreaseinmanufacturing(butstillsignificantdemandforreplacementsupply),itisexpectedtostillaccountfor6,500localjobsand13%ofthetotalworkforceby2030.

ThroughAmplify,theaimisthatmostofthesejobswillbehighlyskilledandwell-paidadvancedmanufacturingjobs.SpecificopportunitiessuchastheAdvancedManufacturingCentreofExcellence,willbeexploredandarticulatedinanupcomingadvancedmanufacturingstrategy.

Caterpillar, Larne facility

Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

22-23

Agri-food

CurrentProfileThisisoneofthemostsuccessfulsectorsacrossNorthernIreland,andMidandEastAntrimhasstrongtraditionsandcapabilitiesbothintermsofagriculture,foodproductionandfoodprocessing.

Nearlyathirdoflocalbusinessesareintheagriculturalsector.Employmentinfoodmanufacturingispartofthetotal9,173manufacturingjobsintheBoroughandincludesMoyPark,basedinBallymena,whichisoneofthearea’skeyemployers.

OpportunitiesforsectorgrowthWithagrowingglobalfocusonfoodquality,safetyandprovenance,anarealikeMidandEastAntrimiswellplacedtodevelopasaleadingcentreofexcellence.TheAgri-foodStrategyBoardpredictsanannualjobsgrowthof3-4%andmajorincreasesinGVA.

Withhighlevelsofexporting,bothadvancedmanufacturingandagri-foodareimportantsectorsasNorthernIrelandcontinuestotrytore-balancetheregionaleconomy.Specificopportunitieswillbeexploredandarticulatedinanupcomingagri-foodstrategy.

glenarm Estate Shorthorn Cattle

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Tourism

CurrentProfileMidandEastAntrim’slocalenvironmentandqualityoflifearekeyassets.Tourismhasakeyroletoplayintermsofattractingvisitors,butalsointermsofattractingbusinessesandnewresidents.Therearealreadyaround4,000tourism-relatedjobs.

KeylocalattractionsincludeTheGobbinsandCarrickfergusCastleandqualityaccommodationisavailableintheareathrough4*hotelsandTourismNIgradedguesthousesandB&B’s.

OpportunitiesforsectorgrowthThenewTourismStrategyidentifiestheneedtobuildbusinesscapabilitiesandthequalityofthevisitorexperiencearoundfivestrategicthemes:• TheCausewayCoastalRoute• CultureandHeritage• EventsandFestivals• DestinationMarketing• DestinationManagement

ThemainareaofopportunityisaroundpromotingtheCausewayCoastalRoute,ensuringTheGobbins’,Galgorm,GameofThroneslocationsandCarrickfergusCastleareakeypartofthevisitoritinerary.ThesetypesofattractionshavethepotentialtodrawmorevisitorspendtotheBorough.Thefocusfortourismistoattractmorepeople,tostaylongerandspendmore.

TheareacurrentlymainlyattractsdaytripsfromtheNorthernIrelandmarketandthereareopportunitiestoworkmorecloselywithTourismNItoattractmoreGBandInternationalVisitors.

The gobbins, Larne Amplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

24-25

Digital

CurrentProfileAlthoughtheareaonlyhasaround300ICTjobs,thenewinnovationfacilitydevelopedattheEcosCentreinBallymena,willbeanimportantdevelopmentincreatingmoretechnologyjobsinthefuture.

OpportunitiesforsectorgrowthAccordingtoMATRIX,NorthernIrelandhasarealopportunitytobuildonitspresentcapabilityinsoftwareengineering,dataanalytics,networksandsensorsandcybersecurity.

AlthoughMidandEastAntrimdoesnothaveauniversitycampus,thereareopportunitiestopositionMidandEastAntrimasakeylocationfornewjobsinthisgrowingsectorwithinthewiderBelfastCityregion.Specificopportunitieswillbeexploredandarticulatedinanupcomingdigitalstrategy.

financial and Business Services

CurrentProfileAsBelfastcontinuestogrow,MidandEastAntrimshouldpositionitselfforback-officefunctionsinthefinancialandbusinessservicessector.Therearecurrentlyaround2,000jobsinrelatedsectors.

OpportunitiesforsectorgrowthWithstrongtransportlinksintothecityandproximitytotheairports,thereisrealopportunitytogrowthesectorfurther.Specificopportunitieswillbeexploredandarticulatedinanupcomingfinancialandbusinessservicesstrategy.

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4 In Closing

The development and implementation of Amplify presents a major opportunity for our place and Northern Ireland more widely, and those organisations within it working for the benefit of our businesses, people, and communities. Amplify provides the sounding board for us to argue our case for economic development with commitment, conviction, and clarity.

Amplify and its partners have committed to carrying the strategy forward. Now, other partners need to come alongside the partnership to provide their inputs, support and resources. Whatever the scope and scale of the part you can play, we hope you will feel able to play it - for the benefit of our sub-region, its businesses, and its people.

Wrightbus, galgormAmplify Growing the Economy of Mid & East Antrim

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Further Information

T 028 2563 3190E amplify@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

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