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Mid Ulster Investment Brochure 2019.indd 1 05/07/2019 14:26 Mid Ulster’s Competitive Advantage

What can Mid Ulster offer your business? A strong and vibrant entrepreneurial culture. A diverse and dynamic business base. A highly-skilled and well-educated workforce. High-quality infrastructure and world-class telecommunications. Invest in a global leading area, the Business Growth Capital of .

A rapidly-growing population A talented and skilled workforce High growth clusters Mid Ulster is the fastest-growing Council area in Mid Ulster supports 55,000 jobs and its Mid Ulster is strong in many sectors and has thriving Northern Ireland. Our multicultural population of people are highly-skilled, well-educated and clusters in: 146,427 is forecast to grow to 165,000 by 2030. multilingual. We pride ourselves on our strong • advanced manufacturing and engineering Sixty-two percent of our people are of working age work ethic and refreshing “make-it-happen” • construction and recycling equipment and 76% are economically active. We share a land approach that consistently impresses investors. • food / agri-food border with Ireland, which means 450,000 people live • business, professional and financial services within a 50km radius of our district’s boundaries – a We’re building on this talent pool at two award- • digital and creative technologies major catchment for finding winning universities, Queen’s University and skilled employees. Ulster University, in addition to further and higher We’re home to the world’s leading cluster of high- education colleges, South West College, Northern growth advanced manufacturing and engineering A hub for enterprise Regional Council, and Loughry Campus. Work is firms – over 40% of the world’s mobile crushing Mid Ulster boasts Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing being further underpinned by Northern Ireland’s first and screening equipment is made right here, business base, and the largest outside of . Our ever Skills Forum established in Mid Ulster. contributing to 20% of the region’s manufacturing region produces 7.3% of Northern Ireland’s economic This industry-led body works closely with employment. We have a substantial number of output – that’s £2.075 billion in gross value added – the education sector to ensure that future talent professionals whose skills are transferable into other and has been the region’s fastest growing district over aligns with the needs of business. sectors. the past decade. Our businesses are the most export- intensive, producing 12% of Northern Ireland’s exports. Property solutions Mid Ulster’s school leavers perform better Mid Ulster offers excellent property options at than the Northern Irish average. Sixteen thousand affordable prices – from greenfield sites to turnkey students graduate from higher education in solutions already available for investors to move Northern Ireland each year – 4,000 with business into. We work with our local business partners to qualifications and 3,500 with IT qualifications. provide investors with high-quality, fully-serviced Strategic location and access space on flexible lease terms. “Forty percent of the Mid Ulster is within 40 minutes of Belfast, 2 hours Innovation hotspot of Dublin, and 60 minutes of three international Innovation is in our DNA. Mid Ulster has the world’s mobile crushing airports offering direct flights highest percentage of businesses investing in to 180 destinations in 40 countries. and screening equipment research and development in the UK. The Innotech Centre at South West College and the Food is made in Mid Ulster.” Innovation Centre at Loughry Campus promote innovation by providing state-of-the-art research, development and innovation services to business and entrepreneurs.These facilities complement the “48% of all graduates from world-class research facilities at Queen’s University and Ulster University. the region are qualified in a broad STEM area”

Mid Ulster Investment Brochure 2019.indd 2-3 05/07/2019 14:26 At the heart of Northern Ireland

Mid Ulster is the beating heart of Northern Ireland’s economy. We have lots of talent, lower costs and high-speed international connectivity. We’re located in the centre of the region – with excellent motorway access to major cities including Belfast, Dubin, Galway and Cork. Our highly-motivated, well-educated workforce is brimming with entrepreneurial spirit. It all adds up to one conclusion – Mid Ulster is the ideal location from which to service your customers around the world.

You’ll be in good company Attractive support packages Key facts about Northern Ireland Mid Ulster’s strong business base is continuously We’ll do what it takes to make your investment growing. A host of major multinationals have grown transition as smooth as possible. Mid Ulster Council’s Young Low taxes exponentially to become global leaders in their fi eld Planning Department has an impressive track Northern Ireland is part of the . Northern Ireland’s overall tax burden is the lowest of all exporting globally. record of supporting businesses to invest and grow Our population of 1.8 million is one of the major European economies. With plans in the pipeline through sustainable development. Our business youngest in Europe – over half of us are under 40. to reduce Corporation tax, investors could benefi t from support partners offer attractive fi nancial incentives, enhanced R&D tax deductions on profi ts arising from IP recruitment services, training advice and fi nancial Well-educated registered in the UK. support for research and development. It’s no We are the best performing region for primary maths in wonder that 90% of businesses that locate in Mid Europe, and the sixth-best in the world. Over 75% of Infrastructure Ulster choose to reinvest. our school leavers go on to further or higher education. Northern Ireland was the fi rst region in Europe to achieve “The most innovative Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University produce 100% broadband. Project Kelvin – a submarine telecoms Superb quality of life over 16,000 graduates cable – links Northern Ireland directly to North America each year. and continental Europe. region in the UK” Mid Ulster offers an enviable lifestyle – a perfect combination of urban and rural Cost effi cient Financial support living. You’ll be part of a diverse community, Northern Ireland has the lowest operating costs in the Invest Northern Ireland, the region’s economic serviced by high-achieving schools and colleges, UK. Salary costs are 30% lower than London, Dublin or development agency, offers attractive support well-appointed leisure and cultural facilities, and Manchester. packages including: plenty of affordable housing. You and • cash grants for capital investments & employment your employees will enjoy a fi rst-rate • interest relief standard of living. • support for R&D, training & marketing.

“We have the largest business SPECIALIST JOINERY base outside of Belfast”. GROUP Mid Ulster Belfast SPECIALIST JOINERY GROUP

Dublin

Mid Ulster Investment Brochure 2019.indd 4-5 05/07/2019 14:26 How can we help you?

Mid Ulster District Council’s Economic Development team provides free and confi dential support to businesses setting up, expanding, or relocating in our region. Our tailored business support will ensure that Mid Ulster is the right fi t for your business. You’ll benefi t from our deep commercial and local knowledge each step of the way.

We can help you with: • property search services, leveraging our relationships with leading developers, landowners and real estate agents • recruitment services, in consultation with further and higher education providers • access to funding to support your growth plans • bespoke support packages from our sector experts • a network of legal advisors, accountants and marketing experts.

Let’s talk

Mid Ulster District Council’s Economic Development Team 03000 132 132 [email protected]

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