The Integrated Economic Development Strategy for Mid and ... · By 2030, we want Mid and East...
Transcript of 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%.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com
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
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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
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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
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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
www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com
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
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Digital
CurrentProfileAlthoughtheareaonlyhasaround300ICTjobs,thenewinnovationfacilitydevelopedattheEcosCentreinBallymena,willbeanimportantdevelopmentincreatingmoretechnologyjobsinthefuture.
OpportunitiesforsectorgrowthAccordingtoMATRIX,NorthernIrelandhasarealopportunitytobuildonitspresentcapabilityinsoftwareengineering,dataanalytics,networksandsensorsandcybersecurity.
AlthoughMidandEastAntrimdoesnothaveauniversitycampus,thereareopportunitiestopositionMidandEastAntrimasakeylocationfornewjobsinthisgrowingsectorwithinthewiderBelfastCityregion.Specificopportunitieswillbeexploredandarticulatedinanupcomingdigitalstrategy.
financial and Business Services
CurrentProfileAsBelfastcontinuestogrow,MidandEastAntrimshouldpositionitselfforback-officefunctionsinthefinancialandbusinessservicessector.Therearecurrentlyaround2,000jobsinrelatedsectors.
OpportunitiesforsectorgrowthWithstrongtransportlinksintothecityandproximitytotheairports,thereisrealopportunitytogrowthesectorfurther.Specificopportunitieswillbeexploredandarticulatedinanupcomingfinancialandbusinessservicesstrategy.
www.amplifymidandeastantrim.com
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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