People, place, and prosperity: why Newry, Mourne and Down is positioned for success

This article was originally published in the Newry Reporter.

A recent investment symposium hosted by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council brought together investors, businesses, and policymakers to share insights on delivering sustainable economic growth for the region.   

The event announced the launch of two multimillion-pound funds to support the development of a new Grade A office space and tourism accommodation.

Its success can be attributed to its people, its location, and its entrepreneurial spirit.   

Over 180,000 people live in the Newry, Mourne and Down council area. The population is more economically active compared to Northern Ireland’s average and has strong educational attainment levels; a total of 81% of students achieve five or more A* to C grades at GCSE, and 71% of school leavers pursue higher or further education. As such, the area provides businesses with access to a young, educated workforce. 

The local Labour Market Partnership delivers programmes to help residents access job opportunities or upskill. Companies within the region also support skills development; for instance, Newry-based MJM Marine has a Navigate Programme that supports students through their education to build a talent pool of potential employees. 

What’s more, most of Newry, Mourne and Down’s strongest sectors (in particular, Agri-food, Advanced Manufacturing, and Professional Services) are included in Northern Ireland’s high-growth priority sectors as identified by the Department for the Economy. Companies in these sectors, such as Deli Lites, Finnebrogue, FD Technologies, and Exact Group, have invested in the region, encouraging economic development and the creation of good jobs.

The location of Newry, Mourne and Down also makes it a desirable investment area. With 100 miles of coastline, three blue flag beaches, five green flag country forest parks, and one UNESCO Global Geopark, it presents stunning landscapes along with a robust tourism offering.

The Newry, Mourne and Down council area is a partner in the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor. The enterprise spans eight council areas and brings together key stakeholders with a shared vision of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. It promotes investment in infrastructure, skills, and green initiatives to enhance the quality of life for those living and working along the corridor.

There is also a significant regeneration effort underway across Newry, Mourne and Down, which will drive broader economic growth. The development of the Southern Relief Road in Newry will not only benefit Newry itself but also Warrenpoint Port, which is Northern Ireland’s second-largest port by tonnage. Regeneration projects elsewhere, like the 15-acre Newry City Park leisure space and the Downpatrick Living High Streets Framework, will provide further opportunities for tourism and business development.

John McKibben is pictured attending the Newry, Mourne & Down investment symposium with the Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald. 

The two funds announced during the investment conference are funded through the Belfast City Region City Deal and by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council itself. The £3 million Office Accommodation Grant Fund aims to promote private sector investment through the development of new Grade A office space in Newry, while the £1 million Tourism Accommodation Programme will assist hotel accommodation projects in the district.    

The Council also leads the NI-wide Digital Transformation Flexible Fund, supported by Invest NI, which assists businesses and social enterprises to invest in digital transformation using emerging technologies.   

It’s my first year as Southern Regional Manager for Invest NI, and I can clearly see how local stakeholders, including the council, colleges, chambers, enterprise agencies, and Invest NI, are collaborating to drive economic growth in the area.   

Newry, Mourne and Down’s robust business base will help grow the local economy, strengthen our entrepreneurial foundation, and contribute to improving productivity levels in Northern Ireland to help businesses thrive.   

It truly is a perfect place to live, work, and invest.

As part of our 2024-2027 Business Strategy, Invest NI aims to target 65% of its investments outside the Belfast Metropolitan Area. We will continue to collaborate with regional partners to achieve this and assist local businesses in generating sales outside of Northern Ireland.

Find out more about our regional support here.