It gives me great pleasure once more to offer the details of the positive contribution Lisburn City Council's Economic Development activity has made to the social and economic life of the Borough over the past year.

The first year of the Council's new (2000-2003) Economic Development Programme is now complete. Relevant Partnership structures have ensured that project delivery remains firmly rooted in local community participation, with key business engagement, tourism development and Lagan Corridor regeneration combining to provide an integrated approach to meeting identified needs across the Borough.

This year alone has seen 152 new jobs, £2.6 million of new revenue and 1219 vocational training participants realised as a direct result of Council support. I am pleased to say that over £110 000 in grant aid was secured by the Council during the year from Europe and Government Agencies to offset some of the costs of this important work.

A very visible example of the Council's ongoing Lagan Corridor regeneration programme is the new and exciting Lagan Valley Island development, to include the restoration of the old Lock 12. I have no doubt that with the Lagan Corridor development gathering momentum, new investment, new jobs and improved quality of life for the Borough's residents will follow.

New tourism development initiatives have demonstrated that local, national and international visitors are increasingly looking to the Borough's key events and attractions as a real alternative to more traditional tourism destinations.

Finally, just a word of thanks to the scores of project delivery organisations, whether from the public, private or community and voluntary sectors, and the hundreds of project participants without whom none of these achievements would be possible.

The outputs detailed in this document speak for themselves. Please be assured that Lisburn City Council will continue to do everything in its power to bring increased prosperity and new opportunities to all parts of the Lisburn Borough.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ken Watson
Chairman, Economic Development Committee

Your Lisburn City Council Economic Development Team