Antrim & Newtownabbey Economic Committee Meeting Highlights - November 2025

Council meetings can often feel dense and hard to follow, so here’s a clear, no-nonsense breakdown of what was discussed at November’s Economic Development Committee — and why it matters if you live or run a business in the borough.

From new funding for rural businesses, to town centre improvements, local jobs programmes, and even high-tech monitoring at Lough Neagh, this was a packed meeting with some genuinely important decisions.

One of the biggest updates was around the PEACEPLUS Programme, a major funding pot aimed at social and economic development.

The Council has secured over £4 million for local projects under the “Our Future Borough” programme. This funding will focus on:

At least 350 local people are expected to benefit, with a strong focus on those who find it hardest to access education or employment.

👉 Why this matters:
This isn’t just training for training’s sake — it’s designed to help real people gain skills, confidence and a route back into work over the next few years.

A big talking point was the proposed Rural Investment & Growth Fund, aimed at filling a long-standing funding gap since EU rural programmes ended.

If approved in the next budget round, this pilot scheme could offer:

The aim is to support at least five rural businesses, create new jobs, and unlock around £1 million in private investment.

Notably, businesses in towns like Antrim, Ballyclare, Crumlin and Randalstown would not be eligible — this fund is strictly for rural areas outside town limits.

👉 Why this matters:
This could be a game-changer for rural businesses that have struggled to grow without access to meaningful capital grants.

The Town Centre Shopfront Improvement Scheme is still going strong.

At this meeting, councillors approved £43,700 in new grants (Tranche 7), bringing total investment to over £436,000 so far.

Businesses in:

have all benefited from improvements such as new signage, painting and frontage upgrades.

👉 Why this matters:
Better-looking town centres attract more footfall, more spending, and help local businesses compete.

It’s not just town centres. Five businesses outside main town areas were approved for grants totalling £21,586 under the Out of Town Centre Shopfront Scheme.

These smaller grants (up to £4,999) help improve things like signage and appearance in places that often get overlooked.

👉 Why this matters:
Local retail areas outside town centres still play a big role in everyday life — and improving them benefits everyone.

The Council has decided not to fully commit to the Balmoral Show in 2026 unless it can share a stand with another council or partner.

Why? While feedback from visitors and businesses was very positive, councillors questioned whether spending £17,000+ each year offered enough value for money — especially given the staff time involved.

If no partner is found, the Council will skip Balmoral Show 2026 entirely and review its approach going forward.

👉 Why this matters:
This reflects a more cautious approach to spending — focusing on measurable local impact rather than big showcase events.

Five more businesses will receive funding under the Business CCTV Scheme, helping improve safety and deter antisocial behaviour.

Nearly £50,000 was already awarded in Phase 1, and Phase 2 is still open, with funding remaining.

👉 Why this matters:
This directly supports safer town centres for businesses, customers and residents.

A proposal involving 5G-enabled environmental monitoring at Lough Neagh — including early detection of blue-green algae — was discussed but deferred until January.

The project would be led by a local tech company, with the Council acting only as a facilitating partner, not the operator.

👉 Why this matters:
This could bring cutting-edge environmental tech to the area, but councillors want more detail before moving forward.

The Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) received 30 applications locally, offering grants of up to £7,500 for rural micro-businesses.

Final awards are subject to eligibility checks and DAERA budget approval, but there’s strong demand.

👉 Why this matters:
It shows rural businesses are eager to invest — and need support to do so.

The Committee also:

Overall, the focus is firmly on:

While council meetings can often feel distant, this one had real, practical outcomes — especially for jobseekers, small businesses and rural communities.

If you’re a business owner, community group, or just someone who cares about how the borough is developing, there’s a lot here that will shape the next few years.

Read the full minutes of the meeting here.