Ministers sign £129m Causeway Coast and Glens deal
BBCThe Northern Ireland Secretary has said a multi-million-pound package for the Causeway Coast and Glens area is a "vote of confidence" in the region.
Hilary Benn joined the first and deputy first ministers for the formal signing of the growth deal in Limavady on Wednesday.
It is expected to result in £129m being invested in a range of projects across the council area.
The UK government has allocated £36m, which has been matched by a further £36m from the Northern Ireland Executive. The remainder of the finance will be provided by the council and the private sector.
The package, which will be rolled out over the next decade, will focus on the areas of tourism and regeneration as well as infrastructure and innovation.
A range of projects are being developed including a centre for food and drug discovery at Ulster University in Coleraine as well as a business innovation and incubation hub in the town.
Speaking to reporters, Benn said the investment was an example of the "partnership" between Westminster and Stormont.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the joint investment would help address regional imbalance and create jobs and opportunities.
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said they wanted to bring prosperity to every part of Northern Ireland.
Finance Minister John O'Dowd said the multi-million-pound deal would help regenerate towns and villages and make a "real, tangible difference" to communities in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
What does the deal include?
There will be regeneration projects in Bushmills and Dungiven and an innovation centre in Cushendall.
There are also plans for a Coleraine leisure and wellbeing centre as well as a Portrush-to-Bushmills greenway.
Overall, Northern Ireland is to benefit from four city and growth deals.
The combined funding from the Northern Ireland Executive and UK government will total £1.3bn which will be complemented by private sector and other sources of funding.
Causeway Coast and Glens Council said it hoped to attract, support and grow more business with a focus on export.
It wants to develop its area as a "go-to" region for both business and pleasure and regenerate some of the smaller places within council into thriving and sustainable rural economies.
The deal identified three key themes or sectors to help boost the local economy with a focus on tourism and regeneration; infrastructure and digital and innovation.
