Financial Deal signing ‘a momentous day’ for Strabane – Bid Chair
18 September 2024
There was a warm welcome in the Strabane Business community today for news that the Financial Deal for Derry and Strabane has been successfully signed at the Guildhall.
The deal was signed at a special event hosted by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, and attended by First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, MLA; the Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, MLA; Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn; and the Minister for Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, as well as project partners and project teams.
The Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal will unlock in excess of £290m of investment in health, life science, digital, regeneration and tourism projects, and help bring about transformational changes and benefits to the region. It represents the single largest investment by the UK Government and NI Executive in this region, and among the many strategic projects to benefit will be the Strabane Town Centre Regeneration project.
Centred in and around the Canal Basin and Derry Road Area, this £102m project consists of a new Northwest Regional College Campus, relocated within the Canal Basin site, a Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) Primary Care Health Hub, Leisure Centre, new footbridge and associated public realm and environmental improvements. The area of influence of the revised plans now extends from Derry Road to the riverside walk adjacent to the car park at the end of John Wesley Street.
Speaking after the event, Kieran Kennedy, Chair of Strabane BID, acknowledged all the work that had gone into reaching today’s milestone. “This is a momentous day for Strabane as we see the official signing of the City Deal which will result in the largest investment in Strabane Town Centre in our lifetime,” he declared. “The investment stands to improve infrastructure and connectivity within the town and will see the heart of the town centre be re-established as a hub for economic activity and growth.
“I would like to personally thank John Kelpie, Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Leo Murphy, Chief Executive of Northwest Regional College and all the project partners for their commitment and dedication to driving the project forward to this historic moment.
“I also look forward to continuing to work together, through Strabane BID, to shape, direct and implement the project as a key economic driver for our Strabane business community.”
To find out more about the Financial Deal go to - www.derrystrabane.com/about-council/city-deal