Categories: economic development

(L-R): Neil McManus, Antrim GAA; Gemma Caldwell, Business Manager, McDonald’s Larne; Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor William McCaughey; Paddy Cusack, Franchisee, McDonald’s Larne & Antrim; Rory Best, former Ireland & Ulster Rugby.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim has welcomed the creation of 120 jobs at the new McDonald’s Larne restaurant.

The dual lane Drive-Thru restaurant is among the first of McDonald’s ‘Convenience of the Future’ restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

Pictured is MEA Local Action Group Board Members with Mayor Cllr William McCaughey at the Braid recently.

LAG celebrate £4.6m rural development success across Mid and East Antrim

The success of the LEADER Rural Development Programme in Mid and East Antrim has been marked at a closure event for Mid and East Antrim’s Local Action Group (MEA LAG).

Manufacturing Task Force sets out ambition for the future

Manufacturing Task Force sets out ambition for the future

Mid and East Antrim’s Manufacturing Task Force (MTF) has set out its plans to grow and support the manufacturing sector in the area for the months and years ahead.

Pictured is members of Councils Planning Committee at the Braid.

Mid and East Antrim on top as NI’s most efficient planning system

Planning decisions by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are made in less time than any other area of Northern Ireland, latest figures show.

Unanimous Council support for urgent efforts to combat soaring cost of living crisis

Unanimous Council support for urgent efforts to combat soaring cost of living crisis

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has pledged to do all it can to help support those worst affected by the current cost of living crisis.

Larne and Ballymena Students spend a Night at the Museum

Larne and Ballymena Students spend a Night at the Museum

Two pupils from Larne High School and Ballymena Academy secured themselves seats at the prestigious ‘Aim Higher’ Evening Space Gala, which took place at the Science Museum, London in partnership with the Science Summer School nationally.

Pictured is Vera McCullough, Patricia Brennan MEA with Mayor Councillor William McCaughey at Vera's workshop.

Rural Small Grants Scheme open for applications

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is welcoming applications for Rural Business Grants of up to almost £5,000. The scheme is open for applications between 4 May 2022 and 31 May 2022 with Grant aid of between £500 - £4,999 available for projects costing up to £20,000.

Information workshops planned for the Town Centre Property Revamp Scheme

Information workshops planned for the Town Centre Property Revamp Scheme

The Town Centre Property Repurposing Pilot Grant Scheme, first launched by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in March 2021 in collaboration with the Department for Communities (DfC), has reopened for a third call for applications.

Funding opportunity in Mid and East Antrim for vacant town centre commercial properties

Funding opportunity in Mid and East Antrim for vacant town centre commercial properties

The Town Centre Property revamp scheme is reopening for a limited period of time, with the opportunity to secure funding to assist capital development and repurposing works on vacant town centre commercial properties.

Pictured is Andrew Irwin, DfC, Jackie Patton, MEA, Rhonda Lynn, MEA, Chris Smart, DfC and Ursula O’Loughlin, MEA.

New Partnership will be "Key Economic Driver" for MEA, says Council

A new cross-sector partnership is set to become a “key economic driver” within Mid and East Antrim in the coming years, according to the Council.

Mid and East Antrim's unveil new plans for Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne.

Council unveils Investment Plans and Town Centre Strategies

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has unveiled new Investment Plans for Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne for the 2021-2031 timeframe – each accompanied by a complementary Town Centre Strategy.

Pictured is Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor William McCaughey outside Larne Town Hall.

Mayor’s statement following P&O jobs announcement

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim says the Council is seeking urgent discussions with P&O after the ferry company announced it was cutting 800 jobs.

Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, IPC Mouldings and Workplus were welcomed by year 13 and 14 pupils at St. Killian’s College, Carnlough

St. Killian’s College welcome Borough businesses

On Friday 25 February guest presenters from Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, IPC Mouldings and Workplus were welcomed by year 13 and 14 pupils at St. Killian’s College, Carnlough.

Pictured is Martin Naughton – Consortium Lead Mentor, Gillian Colan O’Leary – Consortium Project Lead and Philip Weir – Consortium Mentor.

Businesses set for Digital Surge

Digital Surge, a £1million Digital Programme for businesses across Northern Ireland has officially launched this week with registrations now open for the first in the series of workshops, beginning on 1 March 2022.
Formerly known as The Digital Transformation Programme, Digital Surge is designed to support over 1000 businesses across Northern Ireland to improve their digital journeys and is bei

Seaview Integrated Primary School winners of the Primary Category.

Celebrating the Next Generation of Engineers in Mid and East Antrim!

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council along with the Royal Academy of Engineering is delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 Energy Innovation Challenge.

Councillors in Mid and East Antrim have achieved below inflation changes to business and domestic rates next year, aimed at minimising the impact on local ratepayers while delivering significant investment and improvements in the community.

Council strikes rate to drive economic growth, create jobs and deliver excellent services

Councillors in Mid and East Antrim have achieved below inflation changes to business and domestic rates next year, aimed at minimising the impact on local ratepayers while delivering significant investment and improvements in the community.

L-R Michael Harris, Department of the Economy, Graham Smith, Chair MTF, Wilbert Moore, MD Moore Concrete, Mayor Cllr William McCaughey, Sean McAleese, Northern Regional College

Industry partners highlight importance of apprenticeship opportunities across Mid and East Antrim

Mid and East Antrim’s Manufacturing Task Force has celebrated NI Apprenticeship Week with an event highlighting the importance of apprenticeships to the local economy.

Karen Hastings, Investment and Place Manager, MEABC, with James McKergan, ADL, Mayor, Cllr William McCaughey, and the ADL Ballymena team.

Local talent remains key to bus and coach builder’s success

Mid and East Antrim’s “rich pool of outstanding talent” continues to be a key benefit for inward investment companies, according to the Mayor, Councillor William McCaughey.

Working in collaboration with Diamond Trucks, Council Officers will test-drive the fully electric Renault Master 3.5 tonne tipper vehicle at its waste depots in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus.

New electric waste tippers being trialled by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is currently involved in trialling electric waste tipper vehicles as part of its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

Mayor Cllr William McCaughey with Transport Academy graduate Raymond Walls

New Year, New Gear with Mid and East Antrim’s Transport Academy

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s stepping up a gear as it launches the second wave of its popular Transport Academy.

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Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's newsroom

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is a multi-award winning local authority which leads the way in the transformation of ever-more efficient and improved public services for its 139,000 citizens.

The traditional engine room of the Northern Ireland economy, the borough has a proud manufacturing heritage, diverse and dynamic business community, and a rapidly expanding tourism and hospitality sector.

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council
The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street
BT43 5EJ Ballymena
Council website