Invest NI reveals 501 new jobs created in region

Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager, said, “This is an encouraging performance by Invest NI in County Down. Last year we made offers totalling over £9million to local and external companies across Newry & Mourne, Newtownards, Banbridge and Down council areas.

“This contributed towards total investment in the area of £41million and resulted in 501 new jobs.

“Notably investment in Newtownards has seen a significant uplift, increasing by nearly four times on last year.

“Of the new jobs promoted, almost half were supported though Invest NI’s Jobs Fund, and 126 through business start support.”

He added, “Against a backdrop of continued challenges placed on businesses as a result of the ongoing economic downturn, these results have demonstrated a strong performance with tangible benefits for businesses and the economy. I hope these figures will be received with the positive response they deserve.”