An tIúr, Múrna agus An Dún
Áit le haghaidh infheistíochta, cónaithe agus oibre
Newr y, Mourne and Down A Place to Invest, Live and Work
Is mian linn gnólachtaí atá ann cheana féin a fhás agus gnólachtaí nua a mhealladh. Is mian linn tacú le gnólachtaí nuathionscanta. Aithnímid na buntáistí a bhaineann le comhoibriú agus le comhpháirtíochtaí éifeachtacha idirnáisiúnta a thógáil chun fás eacnamaíoch a chur chun cinn. Sa réigiún shaibhir s’againn, tacaítear le gnólachtaí; tá deis ann chun daoine a mhealladh le maireachtáil, le hoibriú agus le hinfheistíocht a dhéanamh sa Cheantar.
Is limistéar tarraingteach é Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin don infheistíocht agus don chomhoibriú – rud atá le sonrú tríd an líon mór gnólachtaí dúchasacha agus idirnáisiúnta atá lonnaithe ann; agus tríd na sócmhainní suntasacha atá ann: tá suíomh straitéiseach againn ar an chonair thoir eacnamaíoch; tá bonn láidir ilearnálach ann do chúrsaí gnó; agus tá córas rathúil oideachais againn.
Tá an turasóireacht ar cheann de na príomhláidreachtaí sa cheantar: tá 100 míle de chósta againn; tá trí Cheantar Sár-Áilleachta Nádúrtha againn i nGeopháirc UNESCO; tá ceantair shléibhtiúla agus oidhreacht shaibhir chultúrtha againn; agus tá pobal fiontraíoch agus tarraingteach gnó againn. Meallann muid níos mó cuairteoirí thar oíche sa cheantar seo ná i réigiún ar bith eile i dtuaisceart na hÉireann; rud a threisíonn lenár ngnólachtaí agus lenár bpobail.
De bhrí go bhfuil an ceantar seo suite go straitéiseach ar shuíomh trasteorann, ar Chonair Eacnamaíoch Bhaile Átha Cliath-Bhéal Feirste, éascaítear rochtain do ghnólachtaí idirnáisiúnta ar mhargaí na hÉireann, na Ríochta Aontaithe, an Aontais Eorpaigh agus ar mhargaí idirnáisiúnta. D’fhéadfadh sé gur tairseach í sin le fás eacnamaíoch agus seasmhacht fhadtéarmach a bhaint amach.
We want to grow existing businesses, support start-ups and attract new businesses. We recognise the benefits of co-operation and building effective international partnerships to advance economic growth. Our prosperous region can support businesses and provide the opportunity to attract people to invest, live and work in the District.
With significant assets including a strategic location on the eastern economic corridor, a strong multi-sectorial business base, and a successful educational system, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area is an attractive region for investment and co-operation, visible through the strong concentration of indigenous and international businesses located within it.
Tourism is a key strength of our region, owing to the 100 miles of coastline, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty encompassed in an UNESCO Global Geopark, mountainous areas and a rich cultural heritage, along with an entrepreneurial and engaging business community. We have attracted the highest proportion of overnight trips, across all regions in Northern Ireland, bolstering our local businesses and communities alike.
Our cross-border location, on the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor, provides opportunities for international access to Irish, UK, EU and International markets, offering businesses a potential gateway to achieve long term economic growth and stability.
Tá Comhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin uaillmhianach agus dírithe go hidirnáisiúnta.An Comhairleoir Valerie Harte, Cathaoirleach Chomhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin Marie Ward, Príomhfheidhmeannach Chomhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin Marie Ward, Chief Executive Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Recognising the fundamental importance of skills to delivering growth, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council strive to ensure the availability of a relevant, productive and talented workforce for businesses and investors.
Population 182,070 10% of NI population
22% of our population (40,160) are under 16, which ensures a strong pipeline for future labour market supply
District is home to 12% of NI’s schools
37% of NMD population educated to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 4 or above
61% of residents (111,660) are aged 16-64 years (working age population) (9% of NI population)
Total employment rate in NMDDC has experienced a 27% increase between 2001 and 2023 to approximately 75,450 in employment
71% of population are economically active; NI average 73%
Access to 25 post primary schools; 2 regional colleges; and 6 universities (within 1 hour drive)
Introduction of reskilling and upskilling initiatives to meet local business needs
71.5% of school leavers in District continue into higher or further education
9,985 full-time and part-time students enrolled in FE 6,610 full-time and part-time students enrolled in HE
974 participants enrolled in Apprenticeship
81.3% of Year 12 pupils achieve 5 or more A* to C grades including English and Maths
Southern Regional College is one of the largest education providers in NI with approximately 10,000 students enrolled annually
Over the last 3 years South Eastern Regional College has progressed 14,125 people within the local workforce to a level 2 qualification and 9,423 to level 3 to 7, both representing 16% of the total working population in the South Eastern region
58.4% of Year 14 pupils achieve 2 or more A-levels
12.7% of School leavers enter employment
13.1% of School leavers enter training
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area has a diverse and vibrant economy, offering a strong concentration of indigenous and international businesses.
9,375 VAT/PAYE registered businesses; 4th highest in NI
730 business births in 2021
Annual rate of business births 11%
NMDDC has the 3rd highest level of entrepreneurial activity in NI
12% of all NI businesses based in Newry, Mourne and Down area
From 2023 to 2027 the average growth rate is expected to be 1.3%, in line with the NI average
93% of businesses in NMDDC in 2020 survived beyond 12 months, compared to 87% survival rate in 2019
Median Average Salary
NMDDC £24,060
Gross Value Added (GVA) £3.2bn
76% of businesses in NMDDC are privately owned (NI average 73%)
Retail and Health continue to be Newry, Mourne & Down’s largest sectoral employers with around 14,210 and 10,630 jobs each respectively
Competitive rent and rates for grade-A office space and business parks
NMDDC is forecast to gain around an additional 4,400 jobs by 2033; a third of these within Construction and Manufacturing
Top 3 performing sectors:
Agriculture
Construction
Retail
Forecasted GVA growth of 1.1% in 2024 and 1.9% in 2025
Top 3 employment sectors: Retail Health Manufacturing
Key Growth Sectors in NMDDC: Utilities
An economic region boasting the best possible environment for businesses to grow and thrive by attracting investment from both indigenous and international businesses in support of innovation and enterprise.
Newry City is approximately 60 mins from Dublin and 40 mins from Belfast
Warrenpoint is the 2nd largest port in NI with an annual tonnage of 3,751,963 in 2021
The District is strategically located with proximity to 3 major airports, a deep-water port, a motorway hub and fast train links offering transport routes throughout Ireland
Multiple industrial, services and high-technology sectors have already established themselves along the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor, the mid-way point servicing <2m people
Superfast broadband coverage across the UK overall remains at 97%, with NI seeing an increase of almost two percentage points
NI has the most coverage of full fibre and gigabit-capability for SMEs in comparison to England, Scotland and Wales
48-55% 5G coverage in NI by at least one operator
Invest Northern Ireland
Lands Available at:Down Business Park, Downpatrick; Killough Road, Downpatrick; and Carnbane, Newry
A unique district, rich in heritage and tourism assets, stemming from a UNESCO Global Geopark, encompassing three areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty located within the region, and an extensive 100 miles of coastline.
Newry City awarded Purple Flag accreditation for night time economy; stunning coastline with 3 Blue flag beaches; National Trust properties; leisure centres; festivals
Newry, Mourne and Down LGD attracted the third largest number of NI overnight trips in 2019, supporting 5,897 jobs in the district
A rich heritage and folklore including unrivalled links to Saint Patrick, Ti Chulainn and the Game of Thrones
Royal County Down golf course, located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful link settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve
Two national trail centres for mountain biking in Castlewellan and Rostrevor, offering exhilarating single track descents
Remarkable sailing locations on Strangford Lough and Carlingford Lough
In 2021, Newry, Mourne and Down had a total of 5,207 households which possess renewable energy systems. This accounts for 12.9% of total households with renewable energy systems across NI and made the Council area the leading LDG for the highest number of renewable energy systems used in households across NI
Three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Mourne, Ring of Gullion, and Strangford and Lecale, showcasing magnificent mountains, cultural treats, and some of the world’s best produce
UNESCO Global Geopark status awarded to Mourne, Gullion and Strangford in 2023 which encompasses a vast area of striking natural beauty. NMDDC is home to 3 of 8 Geoparks in NI
2x major hospitals: Daisy Hill, Newry Downe, Downpatrick
The majority of Newry, Mourne and Down’s renewable energy type is sourced from solar panels. It accounts for 88%, meaning that only 12% comes from other energy systems
Newry, Mourne & Down has the 4th highest housing stock (8.9%) in NI and the 2nd highest proportion of detached houses of any Council area in NI
In 2022, Newry, Mourne and Down had an average household size of 2.70, significantly larger than NI’s average of 2.52. Newry, Mourne & Down are forecasted to anticipate a fall in its household size to 2.58 by 2041 – still higher than the NI average in 2022
Representing a new way of working between central and local government and regional partners, the BRCD secures a bespoke package of investment of more than £850 million to support the delivery of the shared vision of:
“Inclusive economic growth that delivers more and better jobs, a positive impact on the most deprived communities and a balanced spread of benefits across the region”.
The substantial financial commitment, which will be further supplemented by the private sector, will generate up to 20,000 jobs as it is delivered over the next 10-15 years - an exciting, once in a generation opportunity to accelerate economic growth for the region in an inclusive and sustainable way.
This Deal will strengthen the region’s offer in growth sectors such as life and health sciences, the digital and creative industries, and advanced manufacturing. It will support next generation digital capabilities, boost tourism and support the regeneration of our region, underpinned by infrastructure developments and investment in skills to connect people to jobs and services.
It is estimated that over the lifetime of the programme the BRCD will:
• Support the creation of up to 20,000 jobs regionally as part of the high growth ambitions
• Connect local people to the new and better jobs that are being created
• Place the region at the top table of digital innovation
• Deliver £400million in GVA directly on-site and within the region
• Target delivery of almost £1billion of private sector leverage in addition to the funding contributions already identified
• Create compelling world class visitor attractions, attracting visitors from across the globe
• Help to regenerate major towns and cities across the region
The ambitions for inclusive growth will be delivered through the following pillars:
Innovation and Digital
Achieving world leading competitive advantage in key sectors: building our innovation and digital capabilityfacilitating invention, commercialisation and widespread adoption as a driver of economic prosperity and increased well-being
Tourism and Regeneration
Boosting tourism and regenerating our region – creating world-class visitor attractions and investing in towns and cities to provide a year-round destination that will stand out in international markets
Infrastructure
Connecting people to opportunity and services through enhanced and sustainable infrastructure
Employability and Skills
Putting in place arrangements to enable a constant pipeline of talent to support the growth created by the BRCD investments and ensure that the right skills are available within the region to support the emerging job opportunities.
The plan outlines a work schedule to help deliver the 10X Economic Vision and how DfE and its partner organisations aim to deliver on the three key objectives to include:
‘Skills for a 10x Economy’ sets a strategic framework for the development of the skills system to 2030. It sets out three strategic goals which, cumulatively, aim to address the skills imbalances in our economy and improve social inclusion and wellbeing across our society to include:
Strategic Goal 1
Increasing the proportion of individuals leaving NI higher education institutions with first degrees and post-graduate qualifications in narrow STEM subjects
Strategic Goal 2
Increasing the proportion of the working age population with qualifications at level 2 and above
Strategic Goal 3
Increasing the proportion of the working age population with qualifications at level 3 and above
The 100 miles between Dublin and Belfast is Ireland’s most important economic region and boasts the best possible environment for businesses to grow and thrive.
Global giants operate alongside family firms and both avail of easy access to UK and European markets; a well-educated and talented workforce; a strong entrepreneurial eco-system; and an abundance of modern
infrastructure and business supports. This is the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor, where active collaboration between the local government and university sectors is driving regional growth and development and creating jobs and economic prosperity for its 2 million citizens.
Along the Corridor, between Dublin and Belfast, there are many excellent locations for business including
Swords, Balbriggan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Navan, Newry, Warrenpoint, Armagh, Portadown, Banbridge, Craigavon and Lisburn, making this Ireland’s most sought-after investment destination.
The Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor is already home to many the world’s leading companies and Ireland’s most successful businesses and there is plenty of room for more!