Welcome for new initiative aimed at creating 400 jobs in Derry

A new initiative supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council is aiming to create 400 jobs in the city over the next five years.

It comes after Derry City and Strabane District Council gave the go ahead for council officers to sign a letter of offer from Invest NI for the Council's flagship Business Support and Growth programme - Business Boost.

It targets enterprises employing fewer than 50 persons and with an annual turnover less than €10 million.

The council will be required to provide 20 per cent of the total eligible costs of £100,650 over the programme period.

Welcoming the move, Sinn Fein Councillor Paul Fleming said “This is good news for job creation in the council area.

“The proposed programme will help target mentoring support for both Basic Entry and Business Start type companies and entrepreneurs.

“It will also complement and add value to participants on Council's Business Start-Up Programmes.”