Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced over £700 million of new funding for infrastructure, regeneration, and tourism projects across the North.
The investment is the result of the Executive today agreeing to match fund £562 million for City and Growth Deals and £55 million for the Inclusive Future Fund.
This match funding along with the British Government funding announced in May 2019 brings the total investment to £1.2 billion.
The Executive has also agreed to provide up to an additional £100 million for complementary projects. Partners will be able to demonstrate a viable capital project complementary to the City/Growth Deal proposals.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy said: “This investment package signals our desire to build a productive, regionally balanced and inclusive economy.
“The Executive is currently reacting to the COVID-19 emergency. We have already provided over £500 million in grants and rates relief to support businesses survive the ongoing pandemic.
“We also need to plan for the longer-term. This investment of over £700 million provide investment in local areas and much needed jobs and offers hope for the future.”
The package provides at least £700 million for the Belfast Region. This includes Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Lisburn and Castlereagh, Mid and East Antrim and Newry and Mourne council areas. And £252 million is for the Mid, South & West, £210 million for Derry City and Strabane and £72 million for Causeway Coast and Glens.
The funding will complement funding announced for the North West including the Magee Medical School. It will deliver a number of potential projects such as; Derry’s riverside development, Phase II of the Belfast Rapid Transit, extension of the Gobbins, Newry Southern Relief road and a visitor destination experience at the Mourne Mountains.
