Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DOWNEY JNR £1BILLION CITY PLAN TO CREATE 20,000 JOBS
Council sets out vision for Belfast
PLANS to secure a £1billion city deal which could create 20,000 jobs in 10 years have been revealed.
Belfast City Council has outlined its vision to the Government amid hopes of securing the green light in this month’s Budget.
Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey said: “Our negotiations with the Treasury will now be ramped up.
“We’ve developed a genuine partnership and together we’re creating real momentum around the Belfast Region City Deal.
“It presents us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver a decade of significant investment to boost inclusive economic growth, create 20,000 new and better jobs and £470million GVA [Gross Value Added].
“We want to make the region a global investment destination and ensure we make a positive difference to those living in our most deprived communities.”
The envisaged deal, which has been submitted to Secretary of State Karen Bradley, focuses on four investment pillars – digital and innovation, infrastructure, tourism-led regeneration and skills and employability.
The universities are committing significant capital to plan and local authority partners Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Belfast, Lisburn and Castlereagh, Mid and East Antrim and Newry, Mourne and Down have committed £100million.
The organisations hope £1billion of public funds can leverage £3billion of investment from the private sector.
The bid team want Mr Hammond to sign off on the general outline of the deal in the October 29 Budget.