Local Economic Partnership’s plan to invest £3.51 million in the local economy

The Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) Local Economic Partnership (LEP) was formed following the publication of the Economy Minister’s Sub-Regional Economic Plan which included the establishment of LEPs in each of Northern Ireland’s 11 council areas. 

The LCCC LEP is a diverse group representative of local business, which has worked together to identify the specific needs and interventions required to aid economic development in the LCCC area.

LCCC represents one of Northern Ireland’s most dynamic local economies, hosting over 5,155 VAT/PAYE-registered businesses. The area’s strength lies in advanced manufacturing, agri-food, logistics, and professional services.

The LCCC LEP Action Plan 2025 to 2028 invests £3.51 million to address productivity and infrastructure barriers, by supporting trade expansion, innovation, decarbonisation, and strategic property and infrastructure investment. 

The Plan’s flagship project, the Industrial Land and Business Hub Development, is its largest single investment. It will deliver a new Business Hub, with innovation, AI, and sustainability supports. It has the potential to unlock over £6 million in private investment, creating up to 50 high-value jobs in its first two years. Complementary infrastructure enabling work has the potential to unlock £2 million in additional private development by 2028. 

Through SME support programmes, including Trade Missions, Digital & AI Transformation, and Industrial Decarbonisation, the LEP will directly assist 80 to 100 SMEs, generate approximately £2.5 million in export and productivity gains, and support 100 to 120 jobs. These interventions align with the Department for the Economy’s vision for a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable Northern Ireland economy.