Contents Preface 3 Preface Ireland Northwest, centred on the Derry-Letterkenny 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 DUBLIN, 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 ULSTER 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