New £700,000 Enterprise Park opens in Creggan

A new £700,000 Enterprise Park in Creggan has been officially opened by John Hunter, Permanent Secretary, Department for Social Development, and Mr William McCarter, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland.

The Creggan Indigenous Enterprise Park at Bligh's Lane, Londonderry, was developed by Creggan Enterprises on part of the site formally occupied by the United Technologies Automotive plant.

The site comprises 19 units, which have been let to a mixture of tenants including a local school, an upholstery business, a home bakery and a sportswear manufacturer and the project has so far created employment for 29 local people.

Speaking at the opening, Mr Hunter paid tribute to the hard work and co-operation which made the Park a success: "This new Enterprise Park is an excellent example of what can be achieved by all sectors - public, private, community and voluntary - successfully working together.

"I am proud that my Department, through the Londonderry Development Office, has played a significant role in bringing this important project to fruition. I am very confident that this Enterprise Park, and indeed the work of Creggan Enterprises Limited, will go from strength to strength in the years to come."

International Fund for Ireland Chairman, William T McCarter said: “We are very pleased to have been able to again support Creggan Enterprises. This new business park will help to retain skills and provide much needed employment and will hopefully act as a catalyst for further economic regeneration in the area. Creggan Enterprises have shown what can be achieved when a dedicated community organisation works in partnership with the various agencies to address the needs of the local community."

The project has been developed at a cost of £700,000, of which Creggan Enterprises contributed £200,000 towards the purchasing of the site. The Department for Social Development provided £100,000 through the Londonderry Development Office, while the balance was secured from the International Fund for Ireland, the District Partnership for the Derry City Council area, LEDU and Derry City Council. (SP)