Peter Martin of Peter Martin Engineering Ltd with Chairperson of Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs representative Gerry Donnelly.

Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) provided local businesses with grant assistance to develop their businesses through the purchase of a range of machinery to include a Press Brake, Flat Bed Grinding and Polishing machine and Rotational Moulding equipment.

The total grant awarded amounted to £127K along with a significant investment by each of the businesses. During this time the businesses have collectively created nine full time jobs to ensure they continue to meet demand.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Laura Devlin said, “I am delighted to see businesses in the district continuing to show their entrepreneurial spirit through ongoing development and progression of their businesses. Throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic it is important that we have strong resilient businesses who can continue to add to the economy and act as leaders in their field. I commend Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership in their diligence in the administration of funding gratefully provided by DAERA and the European Union. I must also add that it is extremely timely to put the spotlight on such businesses following the launch of the Council’s Economic Development Strategy which has a strong focus on rural businesses and entrepreneurship.’
 
Chairperson of Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said, “I am delighted to see the progress made by recipients Peter Martin Engineering Ltd and Viltra. As a Board we worked extremely hard to ensure the rural businesses across Newry, Mourne and Down availed of the finance that was made available through the Rural Development Programme. This financial support has been vital in continuing to sustain and develop rural businesses to continue to be competitive and provide employment in the local area. Both Peter Martin and Colm Gribben are fine examples of this as they continue to operate their businesses through the difficult times we find ourselves in.’

For more information on current and upcoming funding schemes visit: www.newrymournedown.org/residents-grants-and-funding