EDGE proudly hosted the Government’s announcement of a new Growth Deal for the Mid-South West Region

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EDGE proudly hosted the Government’s announcement of a new Growth Deal for the Mid-South West Region. Our new factory was the perfect backdrop as the Mid South West Economic Engine laid out plans to supercharge the local economy which promises to transform the region.

Developed as a collaboration between Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council, the strategy is centered on boosting productivity. In attendance were Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Minister as well as the Minister for the economy and representatives from the various councils involved.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC STRATEGY

The strategy, developed following extensive research and analysis of the region’s economy and informed by engagement with the major employers throughout the region, identifies challenges and opportunities and sets out four pillars to guide investment and grow the collective economy.

The pillars are: future proofing the skills base, enabling infrastructure, boosting innovation and digital capacity and building a high performing tourism economy. By focusing on these pillars, the overriding goals of increasing productivity, driving business growth in the region, fully realising sectoral strengths and opportunities, creating more and better-paid jobs and ensuring the ongoing internationalisation of MSW can be achieved.

The strategy had been due to launch in spring 2020 but was postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Its overriding aims are more relevant than ever as the region recovers and rebuilds.

KEY SPEAKERS

First Minister Arlene Foster said: “By joining forces, the three councils within the Mid South West have developed a plan which will transform not just the region, but the wider economy. The Mid South West Regional Economic Strategy is aligned with the recovery plans of central government and is particularly relevant as the economy recovers from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The Regional Economic Strategy is a suitably ambitious plan for the Mid South West Region, which has immense potential and much to offer. This strategy will help to ensure the right initiatives are put in place to help the region reach its full potential and achieve prosperity for all the people of the area.”

Economy Minister Diane Dodds commented: “This strategy provides an excellent framework to support the identification of the right type of Growth Deal project and the Councils are to be congratulated for coming together and working so constructively to secure funding for their growth deal and the development of their Regional Economic Strategy.”

Councillor Cathal Mallaghan, Chair of the Mid South West Region Governance Steering Group, said: “We are going to work together to ensure that we achieve this ambition, thereby boosting productivity across the region, ensuring a more prosperous future and rebalancing our regional economy.”

EDGE’s own Managing Director Darragh Cullen had been involved in the Business Reference Group which contributed to the development of the Regional Economic Strategy. He explained…“by addressing our challenges and putting in place the structures and interventions which will enable businesses to do what we do best, the strategy will allow us and other businesses in this region to excel.”

MORE INFO

Find out more – https://www.midsouthwestregion.org/

Download Strategy – https://midsouthwestregion.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PDF-Regional-Economic-Strategy-Document-4SEPT20.pdf

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