Finance Minister John O’Dowd and Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald visited Ulster University’s Coleraine campus this week to see how the £110 million Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal is driving innovation, boosting skills, and delivering regional economic impact.
The ministerial visit, which also included a tour of North West Regional College’s Limavady campus, shone a spotlight on two of the region’s flagship Growth Deal projects: the new Centre for Food and Drug Discovery at Ulster University and the planned Foodovation™ and Skills Centre at NWRC.
The visit showcased the close collaboration between higher and further education, local government, and central government in delivering inclusive economic growth through the City and Growth Deal programme.
Finance Minister John O’Dowd, added:
“I welcome the opportunity to see first-hand the positive impact the Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal is having driving innovation and equipping the region with the skills it needs to thrive. The £110 million investment through the Growth Deal will create high-quality jobs, help attract and retain talent, support local businesses, and strengthen the regional economy.
“The Centre for Food & Drug Discovery at Ulster University Coleraine will significantly expand research capacity and industry collaboration to help bring new products to market; while the Foodovation™ and Skills Centre at the North West Regional College Limavady will ensure the local food industry has access to a highly skilled workforce and the expertise needed to grow and scale their businesses.
“I have no doubt these projects will assist in local economic growth, creating better opportunities for everyone.”
Speaking during the visit, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, said:
“The Causeway Coast & Glens Growth Deal is a real opportunity to support and harness the talent in this region. Focusing on a number of my priority sectors, and with innovation at their heart, the projects show the ambition of everyone involved and the power of collaboration across industry, academia and the public sector.
“The Centre for Food & Drug Discovery will offer unique expertise and first-on-island platforms to support scientific discovery across human and animal health, and bioactives for agri-food. While the Foodovation ™ & Skills Centre will support food and drink businesses with skills development, technical assistance and expert advice to nurture their innovative food and drink ideas from concept to creation.
“These are just two of the projects proposed as part of a wider programme that will deliver real economic benefits for this region and our wider economy.”
Professor Liam Maguire, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at Ulster University, said the Growth Deal presents a transformational opportunity for the region:
“The Centre for Food and Drug Discovery is a flagship innovation project for Ulster University and a cornerstone of the Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal. This £22 million investment will significantly expand our research and innovation capacity in Coleraine, building on our strengths in biomedical sciences and nutrition.
“As a one-stop-shop for industry collaboration, the Centre will accelerate the development, testing and commercialisation of new products to improve public health. It is an industry-facing, research-led facility that responds directly to the strategic needs of the life sciences sector, fostering partnerships that drive economic growth, boost productivity and create a strong pipeline of skills for Northern Ireland.”
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, welcomed the visit, noting the significant benefits for the region:
“The planned Growth Deal projects showcased at Ulster University, Coleraine and Northern West Regional College, Limavady represent both cutting-edge innovation and significant investment in all of our futures.
“The Centre for Food and Drug Discovery at Ulster University Coleraine will not only help develop new and advanced products, but it will also create welcome job opportunities for residents of our Council area; while the FoodovationTM & Skills Centre based at NWRC Limavady will support the growth and expansion of the region’s already established artisan food sector, helping to build a skilled workforce that enhances the hospitality sector and promotes world-class cuisine.
“These initiatives, which form part of a planned £110 million Growth Deal spend in Causeway Coast and Glens, will help aid economic growth in our Council area and I look forward to seeing these projects progress.”
Leo Murphy, Chief Executive and Principal of North West Regional College, added:
“As a proud partner in the Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal, NWRC recognises the exciting opportunities this initiative presents for driving economic prosperity across the region. The development of a Foodovation™ and Skills Centre at NWRC Limavady will complement and extend the work of the highly successful Foodovation™ Centre at our Strand Road campus, Derry~Londonderry, supporting skills, training, and innovation within the food sector.
"This new centre will also enable us to develop new courses in partnership with the food and drink industry ensuring the future workforce is equipped with the advanced skills employers demand.”
