Kilkeel Regeneration Discussed

Arlene Foster has met with the Kilkeel Strategic Partnership to discuss proposals for the regeneration of the local area.

Established in February, the Kilkeel Strategic Partnership aims to support business development, create employment and increase tourism opportunities. The Partnership is made up of major stakeholders including representatives from the fishing industry, renewable sector, Kilkeel Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.

Speaking after the meeting in the Nautilus Centre, Kilkeel Harbour, Arlene Foster, the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, said: "It is encouraging to see such a range of different organisations and businesses coming together with the united goal of increasing their competitiveness and developing opportunities to generate economic benefits."

During the meeting, the Minister outlined a number of initiatives that have been put in place to help support local business and encourage job creation.

"There is significant support and assistance out there to help local businesses to expand. Invest Northern Ireland, has been working to help businesses through the downturn and to prepare them for better times ahead," the Minister said.

She added: "The Jobs Fund has been instrumental in helping local companies create new jobs quickly and to date has supported the creation of 182 jobs in South Down Council area.

"The engineering firm Copas Technologies is among the local businesses to benefit from Invest NI assistance, recruiting 14 jobs at the company and also securing funding through Invest NI's Growth Loan Fund to expand into new markets.

"I would encourage businesses and individuals in the Kilkeel area that have a business enquiry or a potential job creation project to contact Invest NI for advice."

(MH/JP)