Mid South West Growth Deal Officially Signed

The Mid South West Growth Deal was formally signed on Wednesday, with the agreement to implement it characterized as “game changing.” City deals, which are referred to as growth deals in more rural regions, represent multi-funding regeneration packages valued at millions of pounds for various areas throughout Northern Ireland. Previously, during a pre-Budget spending review, funding for both the Causeway Coast and Mid South West deals had been “paused.” An additional £1.5bn funding package for Stormont, provided by the UK government, was announced in October. Consequently, this package has resulted in the lifting of the funding pause for the Causeway and Mid South West deals. Northern Ireland currently has four such deals: the Belfast City region, Derry City and Strabane, the Mid South West region, and Causeway Coast and Glens. The Heads of Terms Agreement for the Mid South West Growth Deal was signed on Wednesday in County Tyrone. The first and deputy first ministers attended the event, held at Cookstown’s Burnavon Theatre. The initial suspension of these deals in September had caused significant anger among Northern Ireland leaders, with First Minister Michelle O’Neill labeling it “deplorable.” During her address at the event on Wednesday, Michelle O’Neill stated: “It’s great to be here in Cookstown to sign for the Mid South West growth deal.“It’s a game changer for local economic development and for investment infrastructure.” She further commented: “There was a time when we thought it was touch and go, we weren’t sure if we would get here to this junction. So today is such a good news story and demonstrates works, it works well.” Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly remarked: “Obviously the path has not been smooth to get to this point, so it’s great that everyone can be here.“It took a collective effort , but we are clear that we want all parts of Northern Ireland to benefit from economic growth and prosperity.” Secretary of State Hilary Benn commented: “The past is the past, today is about signing the deal and the future, that’s the important thing.“The case for these growth deals were very powerfully made and that’s why we’re here today.” The investment package for the Mid South West Growth Deal includes a funding commitment of £252m from the Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government, designated to support Infrastructure, Tourism, and Regeneration, alongside Digital and Innovation projects.