Belfast Region City Deal partners ramp up negotiations

Following months of intensive preparations, Belfast Region City Deal partners have submitted their ambitious negotiating position to the NI Secretary of State and Westminster, with the aim of securing £1bn of investment from a number of sources (October 1st).This co-investment from the UK government, local government, the universities and private sector will deliver a 10 year programme of inclusive economic growth.The Deal’s central objective is to make the Belfast Region a global investment destination, so that we can create 20,000 new and better jobs in the sectors where we’re experiencing most rapid growth and have potential to become world leaders. It will focus on four key investment pillars: digital and innovation, infrastructure, tourism led regeneration and skills and employability.The universities are committing significant capital to the Belfast Region City Deal 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 £100 million.The six councils have been working with Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, Belfast Metropolitan College and other Further Education Colleges – and in close collaboration with the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Treasury to agree the priority projects for this programme of investment.