Investment sees potential jobs boost for Larne

Up to 100 jobs could be created after the opening of a new £2.2 million business park development in Co Antrim.

Willowbank Business Park is an initiative by Larne’s enterprise agency LEDCOM, to build three distinct business units at an Invest Northern Ireland site in Larne. The facilities will include a business park providing workspace, a technology incubation centre and a business centre to provide advice and business development services.

Opening the facility, Enterprise Minister Barry Gardiner said: “Willowbank Business Park will enhance Larne’s existing economic infrastructure by encouraging the development of innovative and technology-based companies with high growth potential.

“The park’s mix of work space units and technology incubation units with the necessary support network will help ensure that Larne has a key role to play in the growth of Northern Ireland’s vibrant economy.”

Arthur Henderson, Chairman of LEDCOM said: “This business park will be crucial to the development and support of an enterprise culture for the 21st century in the Larne area. We are grateful for the generous support provided by a number of organisations, most significantly the International Fund for Ireland.”

Larne Mayor Councillor Roy Craig also welcomed the opening of the Willowbank development, highlighting it as another milestone in Larne’s economic resurgence.

In addition to IFI, funding was offered from a number of sources including: the Peace II programme (via the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and Larne Local Strategy Partnership); Larne Borough Council/Larne Development Forum; the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity programme and Invest NI.

(MB/GMCG)