Economy Minister announces over £4.5m investment for Causeway Coast and Glens
The Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald visited Coleraine recently to announce over £4.5 million of investment in Causeway Coast and Glens.
Wednesday, December 3 saw the formal announcement from the Department for the Economy of the approval of the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Action Plan 2025–2028.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is the second of Northern Ireland’s eleven local government authorities to have their action plan approved.
The funding of just over £4.5 million will see the Borough benefit from support through the Regional Balance Fund to be spent by March 2028.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “We are delighted today to welcome Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald to Coleraine’s recently renovated Chronicle Press offices.
“With just over £4.5 million of investment, the LEP will introduce a new model of joint working between Council, business, education and Government to address structural economic challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.
“On behalf of Council I would like to thank the department for their support through the Regional Balance Fund.”
The announcement highlights the importance of the Local Economic Partnership for the Borough and underlines the new ‘place based approach’ bringing together Council, local businesses, the further and higher educational sector partners and also Government departments to achieve a shared goal.
Congratulating the partnership on reaching this important milestone, Economy Minister Archibald said: “Local Economic Partnerships empower local stakeholders to agree on their economic priorities and deliver interventions that will address these priorities.
“I am delighted at the level of ambition that you have set in your Action Plan and look forward to the projects coming to fruition as you work to address regional balance and improve the livelihoods of local people.”
The Causeway Coast and Glens Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Action Plan sets out a three-year, place-based programme designed to strengthen economic resilience, boost productivity, enhance innovation, and build long-term prosperity across the Borough.
Developed in response to the Department for the Economy’s Sub-Regional Economic Plan and its Regional Balance Fund, the Plan is underpinned by local and business engagement and cross-sector collaboration.