 The Belfast Telegraph, 1 August 2003
Larne is to get a new business park, it was revealed today. Larne Enterprise Development Company (LEDCOM) unveiled plans to build a £1.65m business park at Millbrook on the outskirts of the Co Antrim town.
The 35,000 sq ft development - it will be known as Willowbank Business Park - has the potential to create between 100 and 150 jobs within the next 5 years, LEDCOM said.
It also revealed it is aiming to attract export orientated and technology companies to the site through business start-ups, growth businesses and inward investment projects.
LEDCOM, the local enterprise agency for Larne borough, already operates an industrial estate in the town comprising 60,000 sq ft of workspace. Its 30 tenants provide around 500 jobs and training places.
The latest LEDCOM project has received £770,000 in funding from the International Fund for Ireland and £100,000 from Invest Northern Ireland. And Larne Borough Council/Larne Development Forum and the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme are pumping in £275,000. The remainder of the funding - £505,000 - is being provided by LEDCOM itself.
At the official launch today, International Fund for Ireland chairman William McCarter said LEDCOM had a proven track record in encouraging business start-ups. "I am sure that the new business park will prove to be an attractive location for both inward investment companies and local companies wishing to expand, particularly for developing export markets," he added.
LEDCOM chairman Arthur Henderson pointed out: "With the support of our partners, LEDCOM is building for Larne's future through Willowbank Business Park. We will be working flat out to achieve the project's objectives and to bring additional employment to Larne and East Antrim." |
