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16 Apr 2026
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16 Apr 2026
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PICTURED ABOVE: Mayor Ruairí McHugh at the Strengthening Connections event between, Derry, Mentor and Northeast Ohio held in the Whittaker Suite, Guildhall. Front from left, are Malachy Ó Néill, provost of Magee Campus,Ulster University, Steven Lindsay, Chamber President, and from right, Clare McGee, AwakenHub/AwakenAngles and Mark Owens, Honorary Consul of Ireland for Ohio. Back, from left, are Philip O'Doherty, founder E&I/Vertiv, Leo Murphy, principal and CEO, North West Regional College, Kevin Malecek, director of economic development international trade, City of Mentor, and Ken Filipiak, city manager, Mentor, Ohio. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, was delighted to host a special reception in the Guildhall this week for a senior American trade delegation, bringing together U.S. and local business leaders to strengthen transatlantic economic links and support North West companies in accessing the U.S. market.
The visit, facilitated by AwakenHub in partnership with Derry Chamber of Commerce, also aimed to attract Ohio-based investment into the region.
The delegation included U.S. Consul General to Northern Ireland James Applegate, alongside representatives from the City of Mentor, Ohio, and Team NEO, the regional economic development organisation for Northeast Ohio. The visit held particular local significance through Mark Owens, a Derry native and Ireland’s first Honorary Consul to Ohio since 2023.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, said: “This reception was a valuable opportunity to showcase the strength of our region and the ambition of our business community.
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"I would like to acknowledge the efforts of AwakenHub and the Chamber of Commerce in bringing this important delegation to Derry. By strengthening our connections with partners in Northeast Ohio, we are opening the door to new investment, collaboration and long-term economic growth for the North West.”
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