NI Secretary opens £1.8m Bangor business centre

The new £1.8 million Signal Business Growth Centre in Bangor will make a major contribution to future economic growth in North Down, Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said today.

Mr Murphy said that the service and facilities on offer would help small businesses in the area grow faster.

He said: "This is an impressive facility with many unique services for the business community which will help in the development of small businesses and the wider local economy."

The Secretary of State praised North Down Borough Council for its vision to the development of the Centre and its relationship with Invest Northern Ireland to help stimulate small business growth.

He said: "Building on the Council's local knowledge and working in partnership with organisations such as Invest NI, the Signal Business Growth Centre will exploit the current strengths of the local economy.

"The centre is an excellent example of partnership between local stakeholders, Invest NI and the EU with substantial financial support through the programme for Building for Sustainable Prosperity.

"The associated North Down Business Village, which is also planned for the area, will draw together business, education and local government in promoting enterprise and help small companies accelerate their expansion plans through partnership with local and external markets."

First established in 1996, the Signal Business Growth Initiative is a partnership between North Down Borough Council and the local industry leaders in response to the needs of the local business community.

Assisted by the European Regional Development Fund under the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme and North Down Borough Council, the Centre provides:

• tailored business advice from a professional business advisor
• market research and intelligence facilities
• seminars designed around local business needs
• practical masterclass programme
• a business internationalisation programme with six European Partners and US networks
• a gateway to economic development agencies and their programmes
• access to the SIGNAL Business Network
• sourcing information for local products/services
• and access to mentoring from experienced successful local companies.

Mr Murphy said that these developments complemented the government's broader initiatives and strategies which are being delivered through its agencies.

He said: "Northern Ireland needs businesses to become more competitive and globally focused and Invest NI is seeking to assist this by offering customised business solutions to help companies achieve sustainable growth.

"We need businesses to become more internationally competitive. That means doing things better, making things better and marketing and selling things better."

(SP)