Contents Preface 3 Preface Northwest, centred on the Derry- City Region, is exceptionally well 4 The facts placed as an investment hub for business and global companies seeking to establish a gateway to both the UK and EU markets. Ireland Northwest is renowned for its rich 6 Map tourism, its culture and its heritage offerings, with an established reputation as a 8 Why invest in Ireland Northwest? compelling investment proposition. 10 Growth sectors 12 Case study It is a perfect location for businesses to invest and We are an accessible, connected and business grow. As investors seek to form solid foundations friendly gateway region and have a vision for 14 Innovation, creativity and knowledge on which to base future investment decisions greater international impact. 16 Talent, skills & resources and with a foothold firmly in the EU and the UK, Ireland Northwest delivers a unique combination our clear message is that Ireland Northwest can 18 Investing in our future of benefits for relocating and expanding provide the stability and the options that your businesses, it has a proven track record in John Kelpie 19 Global research & technology centres business needs. of excellence hosting leading international companies such as Chief Executive Derry City and Strabane District and Donegal Pramerica, Seagate, Randox, DuPont, Allstate, Derry City and Strabane District Council 20 Business incubation County Councils are proactively taking a OneSourceVirtual, Zeus and Optum. These & co-working space leadership role to profile Ireland Northwest as companies are already reaping the benefits of 22 Cost of living an investment location and promote this cross- operating in Ireland Northwest and provide robust border gateway region’s unique economic, social, testimonies for the new companies that are cultural and environmental assets. The strength attracted annually. Companies and businesses are of the region is underpinned by a collaborative attracted by the talented and educated workforce, Comhairle Chontae approach which sees agencies and local the value balance, superb quality of life and Dhún na nGall Donegal County Council stakeholders working together with the support collaborative business environment. of central government departments on both sides Ireland Northwest offers significant cost Seamus Neely of the border. We have an ambitious investment advantages compared to the rest of Ireland, UK programme in infrastructure, research, innovation Chief Executive and most of Western Europe. This combined Donegal County Council and skills to ensure that the region remains cost with value-adding benefits makes the case for competitive, well-resourced and among the very investment clear and compelling. best in Ireland and the UK to live in, to work in and to invest in.

2 IRELAND NORTHWEST IRELAND NORTHWEST 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE The facts Ireland Northwest

A SUPER CONNECTED GATEWAY OFFICE RENTS ARE AMONG THE 40,000 LOWEST DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY THIRD LEVEL STUDENTS HOME TO A IN THE WORLD >> ‘Digital Suburb' of the major 410,000 1 HOUR FLIGHT TIME Cities in the USA, Canada, WORLD CLASS IRELAND NW POPULATION the UK and Continental HIGHLY EDUCATED WIRELESS TO LONDON IS ACCESSIBLE Europe SKILLED PRIME OFFICE RENTS & 2 HOUR FLIGHT TIME AND CONNECTED, >> A high capacity, low-latency ENGLISH SPEAKING WORKFORCE AS LITTLE AS AND HIGH SPEED BOASTING FAST LINKS TO BELFAST, WITH A STRONG AND , CORK AND GALWAY. transatlantic cable system LOYAL WORK ETHIC $12 PER SQ FT BROADBAND ACTIVITY TO EUROPE >> Among the fastest North American connection from Western Europe >> Prices are contractually HOME TO 35% LOWER HOURLY DIRECT WITHIN EASY REACH OF capped and 20% less than UNDER 25 SALARY COSTS 2 INTERNATIONAL Glasgow/Manchester/Dublin HOME TO YEARS OLD UNIVERSITY RAIL LINK & 4 REGIONAL AIRPORTS & LETTERKENNY 40 OVERSEAS WITH DIRECT FLIGHTS TO THE USA, INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TO BELFAST AND COMPANIES THAN DUBLIN, US CUSTOMS PRE-CLEARANCE GLOBALLY RECOGNISED CONNECTION TO DUBLIN AND GULF STATES, ASIA AND YOUNGEST LONDON AND MUCH EUROPEAN CONNECTIONS. RESEARCH POPULATION OF WESTERN EUROPE INSTITUTIONS IN EUROPE

4 IRELAND NORTHWEST IRELAND NORTHWEST 5 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Gateway to growth map

DERRY-LONDONDERRY Ireland Northwest has proximity to 2 international airports, LETTERKENNY 4 regional airports, 2 deep sea ports and a primary road network. STRABANE DONEGAL PROJECT KELVIN BELFAST This project directly connects Northern Ireland to North America and Europe, providing a high capacity, secure and reliable network through Hibernia’s industry leading fibre optic submarine cable. The network attracts local and global companies who require fast, low latency bandwidth.

KNOCK INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL DEEP SEA PORT AIRPORT AIRPORT

DUBLIN GALWAY

CORK IRELAND NORTHWEST 7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Why invest in Ireland Northwest? Ranked Top Ten Economies in the world for ease of doing business and starting a business

For leading international investors already The region’s strengths in life sciences, business in the know, this region is home to a services, technology, advanced manufacturing talented and educated workforce, innovation and engineering are supported by our third and creativity which is leading to major level institutes and our R&D institutions of international and commercial success for excellence. Ireland Northwest comprises Donegal the businesses located here. County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council areas covering an area of 2,394 square miles with the city of Derry-Londonderry and Letterkenny as its linked gateways. “Our Experience in Northern Blue chip companies continue to invest in Ireland Northwest including international players such as: Ireland far exceeded our expectations. We came here originally for the cost savings. We find ourselves staying for the people and the talent that’s available.”

Allstate - ICT/Business Services

8 IRELAND NORTHWEST IRELAND NORTHWEST 9 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Growth sectors

DIGITAL AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES (DCT) ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING (AME) BUSINESS, FINANCE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES (BFPS) LIFE AND HEALTH SCIENCES (LHS)

Companies (number) Companies (number) Companies (number) Companies (number) 95 245 330 30

Area of expertise Area of expertise Area of expertise Area of expertise EdTech, E-Learning, App & Software Automation Technology, Accountancy, Law/Legal Practice, Business Point of Care Testing, In Vitro Diagnostics, Clinical Development, Enterprise Software, Healthtech, Agricultural – Machinery, Quarry/Mining Process Outsourcing, Shared Service Centres, Modelling, Data Analytics/Medical Bioinformatics, Digital Media & Entertainment, E-Commerce & Machinery, Materials Handling, Print Customer Contact Centres, Back & Middle Office Phase III & IV Clinical trials, Neuroscience, Marketplace, Social Networks, Cyber-Security & Packaging, Mechanical Engineering, Stratified Medicine, Medical packaging, Medical Device Manufacturing Electrical Engineering ,Precision Availability of talent (graduates) Engineering & Fabrication Availability of talent (graduates) 5900+ Availability of talent (graduates) 5900+ Availability of talent (graduates) 3210+ Centres of excellence 3000+ Centres of excellence Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC), Ulster University Legal Innovation Centre, Centres of excellence Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC), Centres of excellence Cognitive Analytics Research Lab (CARL), Clinical Translational Research & Innovation Cognitive Analytics Research Lab (CARL), CoLab, WiSAR Lab & Co Lab (LYIT) Centre (C-TRIC), NI Centre for Stratified Medicine, WiSAR Lab & Co Lab (LYIT) Centre for Engineering & Renewable Energy ISRC (Intelligent System Research Centre), (CERE), Intelligent Systems Research WHSCT Research Office, WiSAR Lab Centre (ISRC), Cognitive Analytics Research Lab (CARL), Co Lab (LYIT), Wind Energy Centre (LYIT)

10 IRELAND NORTHWEST IRELAND NORTHWEST 11 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Case study

ZEUS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

Zeus is the world’s leading polymer extrusion manufacturer and material science innovator.

Zeus specialises in providing high-performance extruded tubing solutions to many industries.

The company continually works to develop and improve processes and PRAMERICA ALLSTATE to design advanced products that meet the rapidly changing demands of the medical, science, technological and manufacturing fields. From Pramerica is a business and technology operations subsidiary of US based Ireland Northwest is fast becoming a major hub for the business services industry biosabsorbables and nano-fiber membranes to wires and cables, the Prudential Financial Inc – a financial services giant with assets of more and according to insurance giant Allstate, there are two key ingredients; people company is an innovator in many industries. Zeus chose Letterkenny than $1.1 trillion and operations in Asia, Europe and Latin America. and talent. as its European base to ensure that its European customers receive a Founded in 2000 with 8 employees, Pramerica have grown steadily and quick turnaround and taking into consideration the quality of life that now have over 1,500 talented individuals who benefit from working in a The Allstate Corporation is the largest publicly held personal lines property and casualty insurer in Letterkenny would offer its employees. thriving and diverse company where the opportunities are endless. America and the third largest personal insurance company in the country.

Allstate’s twin locations in Derry City and Strabane provide high quality software development In October 2017 Pramerica continued its long-term commitment to services and business solutions in support of the US parent’s global operations and is responsible for “The availability of highly-skilled and opening a new $49m, 130,000-square-foot campus features green technologies for developing, transforming and maintaining the various technology platforms used within Allstate. educated people, the favourable business electricity generation and rainfall harvesting in Letterkenny. It has parking for more than 1,000 vehicles, landscaped and green areas for staff recreation and many other amenities. The decision to locate in the region has been rewarded with huge cost savings, according to Suren environment and strong national support Gupta, Executive Vice President, Allstate Technology and Operations, who says: “Every day in Northern had played a large factor in the decision to Barbara Koster, senior vice president and chief information officer for Prudential, “This new Ireland we save half a million dollars. As a result of locating in Northern Ireland 15 years ago, Allstate has campus ensures that the immensely talented people who work here have every resource they saved over a billion dollars.” locate the new operation in Letterkenny” need to provide excellent service to the customers they support. The exceptional community backing we enjoy here only adds to the success.” Ireland Northwest’s talent pool is so important according to Georgina O’Leary, area leader for the Derry Zeus Industrial Products branch. She said, “It’s a reflection of the remarkable IT skills resource of the Derry~Londonderry region that a local company is responsible for software engineering and development for one of America’s largest

12 IRELAND NORTHWEST insurance companies.” IRELAND NORTHWEST 13 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE STAFF ATTRITION RATES KEY BUSINESS BENEFITS

Innovation, creativity $92 $ per square feet 9% Grade A Grade B & knowledge Digital & $71 $69 creative technologies Ireland Northwest offers a talent pool to rival the best $53

Derry-Londonderry is the 4th largest urban settlement in Ireland and together with Letterkenny and Strabane, the City Region boasts over 4% $28 40,000 students. It is no surprise that the region is bubbling with Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) innovative start-ups and a wealth of creative new companies. $16 $16 $11

There’s something special happening Northwest is doing spectacularly well. Ireland NW Dublin Belfast London (City) here. That thirst for knowledge has also Ireland Northwest has a well-established resulted in blossoming research and eco-system that encourages innovation, Source: Colliers International Office Rent Maps. As of exchange rate (Oct 2017). development and innovation, based on R&D and entrepreneurship so that the practical cooperation between business region has the capacity to adapt in an 5% Business, Finance and and academia, ensuring that this is a ever changing and more competitive Professional Services (BFPS) great location for business. Our thriving environment. Our ICT strength is Labour turnover indigenous companies are also helping based on talented people, industry- 12.5% 75% rates are amongst to strengthen the sectors clustering here. academia collaborations, supportive corporation tax is investors reinvest % lowest in Europe local government and state agencies lowest in Western in the region You can tell how forward-looking a region and a track record of meeting the needs Europe is by the quality of its research and Our employees are of business. innovation - and by that standard Ireland hardworking, dedicated, very innovative, and they come up 4% Life and An incredibly competitve cost location with lower with some great solutions Health Sciences (LHS) rental costs than most of the UK and Ireland. Dr Brian Burns, Seagate 14 IRELAND NORTHWEST IRELAND NORTHWEST 15 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE “C-TRIC provides an excellent opportunity for both local and international companies wishing to exploit the connection Talent, skills & resources between world class Health, Business and Academic sectors!”

A Generation of Fresh Thinking Trung Do, Executive Director of Business Development at Partners HealthCare

A strong cross border collaboration between institutions ensure students are equipped with the right skills and are employment ready. Circa 7,000 graduates annually ready for employment UNIVERSITY REGION

Northwest Regional College (NWRC) Ulster University (Magee Campus) LABOUR POOL TALENT PIPELINE >> Leading provider of vocational courses & >> Top 10 entrepreneurial universities globally LABOUR POOL foundation degrees >> £42m invested in R & D 35% population under 25 years old 40,000 third level students >> Centre of excellence in software engineering >> Top 25% of UK universities for world leading 103,530 in employment Top-performing region in post primary >> 20,000+ students each year research (REF 2016) education at age 16 and age 18 (high High levels of staff retention >> Dedicated business support centre >> 5000 students & 150+ courses school diploma equivalent) Depth of skill available >> 25+ global partner institutions >> Medical school in development 31% school leavers educated to >> Recruitment of international foundation -- Specialisms in technology and innovation Highly competitive salaries: degree level -- 80 students per year (Graduate entry) >> HR Admin $19,000pa Pipeline of migration to Ireland Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) -- Confucius Institute >> Financial Accountant $25,000pa Northwest from EU and non-EU >> 4000+ students >> Heart of city/region’s economic development Educational institutions of excellence: >> 50+ global partner institutions >> IT Technical Support $28,000pa >> Joint leadership team meetings >> 4 x academic schools >> Software Test Analyst $33,000pa >> Ulster University >> By 2025 9,400 FTE students >> Business >> Software Developer $30,000pa >> Letterkenny Institute of Technology >> Partnership with NWRC >> Tourism >> NW Regional College >> Engineering >> Science >> Significant Research Partnerships >> Growing International Student base

16 IRELAND NORTHWEST IRELAND NORTHWEST 17 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Investing in our future Global research & technology centres of excellence We offer financial incentives. Our business support partners can offer your company an attractive and competitive package of financial incentives, recruitment/training Capital Investment advice and help with R&D costs.

Making it Happen: We are a Connected Region with a series of ambitious and exciting infrastructure projects designed to further consolidate the Ireland Northwest region’s proposition as a key investment location. CLINICAL TRANSLATIONAL LEGAL INNOVATION CENTRE ISRC (INTELLIGENT SYSTEM CENTRE FOR ENGINEERING & RESEARCH LAB (CARL) RESEARCH & INNOVATION RESEARCH CENTRE) RENEWABLE ENERGY (CERE) CENTRE (C-TRIC) >> Promotes and supports the >> Located at Ulster University use of technology in legal >> Located at Ulster University >> Located at Ulster University Magee Campus >> Unique facility promoting services Magee Campus Magee Campus and facilitating >> Global leader in data TRANSPORT >> Dedicated to the creation >> Worked with Boeing, ROADS translational and >> Education and training on analytics research of intelligent computational Bombardier, Airbus & Terex INFRASTRUCTURE clinical research emerging legal technologies >> Application of research in INFRASTRUCTURE systems >> Expertise in: >> 1 of 2 centres in UK >> Collaboration of researchers, cognitive analytics (but not legal practitioners and >> Home to 1 of only 170 active -- Engineering limited to): >> Are of expertise includes: MEG labs worldwide $170m $92m technologists -- Renewable energy -- Health -- Provision of incubation >> Area of expertise includes: Improving connections and reducing travel times between Derry & Belfast In planned transportation infrastructure projects that will reinforce space for companies -- Engineering -- Financial technology WISAR LAB -- Neuro-Engineering and key cross border cities including Dublin & Galway. our status as connected hub. -- Clinical assessment of -- Mechanical -- Advanced manufacturing devices -- Brain Computer Interfacing -- Manufacturing; electrical -- Media >> Located in the Letterkenny -- Research ethics and -- Cognitive Robotics and electronic -- Energy governance Institute of Technology -- Wireless Systems engineering (LYIT). -- Civic society and -- Integrated research -- Artificial Intelligence public policy application system PUBLIC >> State of the art RF lab to & VR COGNITIVE ANALYTICS $461m $98m $26m form completion support R&D Extension to the regional acute In Strategic regional sporting & Establishment of NW Medical School -- Designing and running SECTOR >> Expertise in Wireless Tech, hospital as a centre of excellence leisure projects across the region. medical device Embedded Systems & in medical innovation. assessment studies INVESTMENT Power Electronics -- Patient recruitment and sample >> Particular expertise in Body collection for studies Area Networks (BAN) and the application of WSNs in 18 IRELAND NORTHWEST IRELAND NORTHWEST 19 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE buildings ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE NORTHWEST REGIONAL COLLEGE BUSINESS WISAR LAB SUPPORT CENTRE (BSC). >> Located in the Letterkenny Institute of Business incubation >> Located in the Northwest Regional College. Technology (LYIT). >> Provides direct training and mentoring >> State of the art RF lab to support R&D. support to local industry. & co-working space >> Expertise in Wireless Tech, Embedded >> Ares of expertise include Entrepreneurship, Systems & Power Electronics. Knowledge transfer, research and COLAB >> Particular expertise in Body Area development, innovation funding and GAOTH DOBHAIR BUSINESS PARK >> Located in the Letterkenny Institute of Networks (BAN) and the application of technical consultancy. >> Largest enterprise and industry-based Technology (LYIT). WSNs in buildings. >> Facilities include software development business park in West Donegal. Approx >> Incubation space and business support to 95 acres. suites, a food development centre, rapid IDA BUSINESS PARK, LETTERKENNY early-stage enterprises in the high tech and prototyping facilities and 3d animation and >> purpose designed business park knowledge intensive sectors. >> c.42 hectare (c.104 acre) park of zoned design media software facilities. offers a diverse and flexible range of and serviced industrial land ready for >> Provides flexibility for start-ups and enterprise premises. inward investment. companies of any size, ranging from a single EIGHTY81 CREATIVE WORKSPACE >> Properties are available at competitive rental “hot desk” to large-scale workspace. >> Home to Zeus, Pramerica, Optum, 3D Issue >> Shared creative workspace for businesses in rates and clients can benefit from flexible and A&M Belting Company Limited, Located >> Cross Border engagement with Catalyst Inc. the creativity industry. leasing arrangements. 1.5 km (1 mile) north east of Letterkenny Innovation Centre. >> Located in Ebrington Square in the heart of town centre, 47 km from , >> Buildings can be adapted to suit particular Derry ~ Londonderry. 59 km from Donegal Airport, and 133 km business requirements and leased as part of CATALYST INC. INNOVATION CENTRE ULSTER SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PARK BEAM CENTRE >> Super-connected premises provide flexibility from Belfast International Airport. an enterprise-support programme. >> 50,000 square foot of flexible workspace on for start-ups and companies of any size, >> Purpose built 15 acre mature >> Multi-functional workspace, events, the banks of the River Foyle. ranging from a single “hot desk” to large- C-TRIC landscaped campus. co-working and support centre for small >> Has its own Data Centre. scale workspace. businesses and third sector organisations. >> Unique facility promoting & facilitating >> State of the art high specification office >> House specialists in software, telecoms, translational and clinical research. accommodation with flexible lease terms >> Set in a wooded, tranquil area 5miles from digital media, health & bioscience, clean dedicated to the needs of the financial the Derry city centre. >> Provision of Incubation space for Life tech and television production. services, digital media, ICT and knowledge Sciences and Bio companies. >> From US$ 13 per day. >> Super-connected premises provide flexibility based technology enterprises. >> Clinical assessment of devices. for start-ups and companies of any size. >> Hub for developing relationships between >> Agile workspace with resilient Tier 1 internet social economy organisations, private and >> Medical Device assessment studies >> Cross border engagement with CoLab. provision, secure 24/7 access, support statutory sectors both North and South >> Research ethics & governance. services, meeting facilities, onsite catering of Ireland. 20 IRELAND NORTHWEST and free parking. IRELAND NORTHWEST 21 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Cost of living Ireland Northwest price comparisons with other cities

RESTAURANT PRICES AVERAGE GROCERY SHOP AVERAGE RENT Quality of Life

Dublin 28.5% 26.1% 208.9% Ireland Northwest boasts an enviable The region is home to a rich tapestry of quality of life with access to: culture, arts and language. Its thriving Belfast arts and culture scene has established 1.5% 10% 27.7% >> Free healthcare & 2 global reputation. The area has a rich built acute hospitals London 35% 16.6% 316% environment and natural landscape. A foodie >> Available and affordable housing destination with some of best and award winning restaurants, a rich musical AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE: $147,660 >> Stress free commuting legacy the city region has been designated as >> Strong sense of culture, heritage a port for the Clipper Round the World Yacht and community Race. Events are a strong point include Jazz >> Stunning scenery and Festival, Earagail Arts Festivals and Irish Open, historical landmarks recently voted the Best Halloween destination in the world by USA. The world famous >> Award winning beaches coastline and unspoilt environment promotes a wealth of leisure activities within easy access allowing for a healthy work life balance. Voted “Donegal is the coolest No 1 Halloween Destination in the world by place on the planet” USA Today.

National Geographic, The Cool List IRELAND NORTHWEST 23 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Dedicated business development & investment team

We work in partnership with Investment attraction agencies, educational institutions, Local Government and Chambers of Commerce in two different national jurisdictions and have collaborated on a number of successful projects. With our dedicated Business Development and Investment team we provide Support for Companies in: >> Talent Management & Recruitment >> Property Solutions >> Bespoke Skills & training programmes >> Civic support through executive offices of local government >> Investor Forum >> Business Ambassador & Conference attraction programme.

INTERESTED IN OUR OPPORTUNITIES? WE WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

Derry City & Strabane District Council

www.investderrystrabane.com [email protected] +44 (0) 28 71253253 ext 6661/6662 @InvestDCSDC

Donegal County Council www.localenterprise.ie/Donegal [email protected] +353 (0) 74 9160735/9153900 @donegalcouncil

Comhairle Chontae Dhún na nGall Donegal County Council