Opening of New Units At Bluestone Business Park - 27 January 2010

Madam Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here in Bluestone Business Centre today to officially open these newly constructed business units.

This building, and the surrounding complex, represents a massive success story. When the Goodyear factory closed in 1983 with the loss of 750 jobs, it was a disaster for Craigavon in general and Brownlow in particular, resulting in the one of the highest rates of unemployment in the Borough and Northern Ireland.  However the people of Brownlow were determined to overcome this setback and with the cooperation of the statutory bodies and in consultation with the Brownlow community, the Brownlow Initiative was established. From this came Brownlow Limited - formed to spearhead the encouragement of entrepreneurship, provide support (including mentoring) and low cost workspace.

The original business units – of which some still exist at the top of Bluestone Business Park – comprised derelict houses, leased to Brownlow Limited by the NI Housing Executive in 1990 and stripped out to provide opportunities for the people of the Brownlow area to generate employment across all sectors of business.

And now, just 20 years later, Bluestone Business Park, managed by Brownlow Limited, provides state of the art accommodation for more than 20 businesses employing around 120 people – and growing.

Brownlow Limited has now firmly established itself into one of the most highly respected social economy enterprises in Northern Ireland and has been to the forefront of this success story.  I am pleased to note that it has been instrumental in delivering locally a number of programmes including initiatives on behalf of Craigavon Borough District Council, the Craigavon Local Strategy Partnership and the Peace 1 and Peace 2 Programmes in addition to contributing to the delivery of Invest NI initiatives.

Brownlow Ltd has helped to stimulate the economic growth and development of the Brownlow area and these additional 9 units of extra workspace will allow the necessary increase in annual revenue to secure Brownlow Limited’s long term independence and sustainability.

There has been a remarkable transformation from the dereliction of the former Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings to these modern designed purpose built business units.

In keeping with our commitment to support the economic transition of the area to a more stable peaceful and prosperous society my Department is delighted to back this development to provide professional and efficient standards of accommodation for both fledgling and established business in the area.

The development and growth of the micro business / social economy sector is one of the main contributors to an economically prosperous and socially stable future within Craigavon and the Brownlow area in particular.  Brownlow Limited’s property base has now expanded to an extent where its long term viability and sustainability are secured.

The development of this project will also have a positive effect on local poverty and levels of deprivation by creating long term jobs in small businesses owned and managed by local people in the Brownlow area.

In summary, the project will play a key role in increasing local start-ups, maximising small business activity and contributing to the reduction of premature business failures.  The project will dramatically and significantly improve the economic infrastructure provision for the existing and potential business community in the Brownlow area.

It has been a tremendous success with excellent demand from local people wishing to live, work, and develop their own commercial enterprises in the Brownlow area.

I have made it clear that supporting economic development and sustainability are key factors in reducing and eradicating deprivation.  This project will bring many benefits to all of the people of this area.  There is an inextricable link between deprivation and economic inactivity and this new extension will provide an opportunity for local people to develop and fulfil their employment and self employment future. Successful economic development generates confidence, and will be a catalyst for attracting further development and investment from other sectors.

By the end of this financial year my Department will have invested almost £3 million on a range of projects in the Brownlow Neighbourhood Renewal Area. I believe this demonstrates my determination to address decline in the area.

This project clearly demonstrates what can be achieved through the voluntary and community sector working in partnership with government and local authorities to help create employment opportunities within the Brownlow Neighbourhood Renewal Area.  I would like to pay tribute to Brownlow Ltd for the role they are playing in terms of the regeneration of Brownlow.

I would also like to acknowledge the role of the Brownlow Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, and its Chairperson Gerry McIlroy, who had the foresight to include this project in its Action Plan for regenerating the area.  I would also like to thank the statutory partners including Craigavon Borough Council, the Housing Executive, DRD Roads Service, the Southern Regional College, the Southern Health and Social Services Trust and the Southern Education and Library Board for the part in which they are playing in helping to deliver Neighbourhood Renewal in Brownlow.

And finally, I would like to wish each of you a happy and a prosperous 2010.

Thank you.