Mid-Ulster super council urge firms to have their say on economic development

The Mid Ulster District Council is calling on businesses from Cookstown, Dungannon and Magherafelt to have their say on a new two year (2014-2016) Economic Development Plan.
Pictured at the launch of the consultation process for the Mid Ulster District Council
Economic Development Plan are (centre) Councillor Cáthal Mallaghan, Presiding Councillor (Chair) of the Mid Ulster District Council, accompanied by Councillor Frances Burton, Chair of Mid Ulster District Councils Development Committee (pictured left) and Councillor Kate McEldowney, Vice-Chair of Mid Ulster District Councils Development Committee (pictured right).Pictured at the launch of the consultation process for the Mid Ulster District Council
Economic Development Plan are (centre) Councillor Cáthal Mallaghan, Presiding Councillor (Chair) of the Mid Ulster District Council, accompanied by Councillor Frances Burton, Chair of Mid Ulster District Councils Development Committee (pictured left) and Councillor Kate McEldowney, Vice-Chair of Mid Ulster District Councils Development Committee (pictured right).
Pictured at the launch of the consultation process for the Mid Ulster District Council Economic Development Plan are (centre) Councillor Cáthal Mallaghan, Presiding Councillor (Chair) of the Mid Ulster District Council, accompanied by Councillor Frances Burton, Chair of Mid Ulster District Councils Development Committee (pictured left) and Councillor Kate McEldowney, Vice-Chair of Mid Ulster District Councils Development Committee (pictured right).

The newly formed Council has placed the economic development of the area as one of its top priorities and have appointed consultants RSM McClure Watters to spearhead this important commission which is due to be completed by the end of 2014.

The consultation process will be conducted from August-November 2014 to ensure widespread engagement with a broad range of key economic stakeholders from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.

With over 8,000 Vat registered businesses in Mid Ulster, this key sector plays an instrumental role in the economic performance of our area and hence the first set of consultations will focus on attempting to consult with as many businesses as possible.

The consultation process will seek the views of businesses from all sectors, sizes and locations. Capturing this information is vital as it will help formulate a variety of measures for the Mid Ulster District Council to consider to further strengthen the region’s economic and business potential at National, European and International levels.

Presiding Councillor (Chair) of the Mid Ulster District Council, Cáthal Mallaghan, said they are one of the first Councils in the North to undertake this extremely important exercise.

“A robust Economic Plan is fundamental to a region’s long term prosperity and the development of this region’s economy is a priority for the new Mid Ulster District Council. The Mid-Ulster area possesses a strong and resilient business base renowned for its entrepreneurship and innovation and I look forward to having the opportunity to meet with our local industry representatives in the weeks and months ahead.

“It is critical that the Council is equipped with an Economic Development Plan to maximise all opportunities available to our indigenous business sector and do so in a way which creates the best platform to accelerate growth and competitive advantage”.

Councillor Frances Burton, Chair of the Mid Ulster District Council’s Development Committee added, “I strongly welcome the development of the Economic Development Plan which will help direct how we can best support Mid Ulster’s business sector going forward. I would urge all our businesses, both urban and rural, to get involved in the consultation process and have their say.”

As part of the consultation process, businesses throughout the area now have the opportunity to complete an online Business Survey which can be accessed at http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/119884NYCKY

It is important that business representatives take 10 minutes of their time to give their views on the future needs of their business as well as those of the 
region’s economy.

Following completion of the survey on 12 September 2014, the results will be collated and shared at a number of sectoral business workshops planned across Mid Ulster during September and October 2014. Further details of these business consultation events will be publicly advertised in 
the local press.

If your business is located in the Mid Ulster area and you would like more information about this initiative or are interested in participating in the consultation process please contact the following officers 
in each Council;

Fiona McKeown, Cookstown District Council (Tel: 028 8676 2205) Davina McCartney, Magherafelt District Council (028 7939 7979) Vinny Beggs, Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council (028 8772 0347)