First Minister opens Glendermott Valley business facility

The First Minister and Deputy First Minister has opened a £1.2 million business facility at Glendermott Valley in the Waterside area of Londonderry.

Speaking on Thursday January 25, the First Minister said: “This business park will help to support new and existing local companies to make an impact on markets both at home and beyond. Northern Ireland is essentially a small firm economy and we recognise that competitive small firms have a vital contribution to make to our economic future.”

The 27,000 sq ft park will provide space for 30 units, some of which have already been occupied. Over 50 per cent of the final cost of the initiative was financed through the department of enterprise, trade and investment under the aegis of the EU’s special support programme for peace and reconciliation. The remaining money was put up through a network of local and national agencies.

The Deputy First Minister, Mark Durkan, described the park as a “fine example of what can be achieved when community, business and government work together”.

SDLP assembly member for the area, Annie Courtney, felt that the move would address low employment in the area

“This is a tremendous boost for business and employment in the area. Particularly so, as neighbouring the park is Tullyalley, which is a deprived Protestant community, and the prospect of new jobs makes this a very important development,” she said. (GMcG)