Newry Chamber President, Edwina Flynn and CEO, Michael Savage held an engaging meeting with NIE Networks this week to discuss the challenges and costs faced by businesses who want to expand and invest in the Greater Newry Area.
They met with Derek Hynes, Managing Director of NIE Networks and Edel Creery, Head of Communication & Stakeholder Engagement at NIE Networks and outlined the strategic importance of addressing the infrastructure deficit in the Greater Newry Area and how meeting this challenge is one of the Chamber’s Core Strategic Pillars.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber said:
“This was a very important meeting for the Chamber and we are grateful to Derek and Edel for taking time out of their very busy schedules to come and meet us in the Chamber Offices in Newry City.”
“The Chamber is deeply committed to working with the utility operators and suppliers across NI and the Department for Infrastructure to address the legacy of under-investment in our infrastructure in this region and this meeting is an important first step in developing the strong relationships that are needed to meet that challenge.”
Michael Savage, CEO of Newry Chamber added:
“This was a very informative and engaging meeting during which it became clear that we need to work in partnership with NIE Networks to lobby for a change in Government policy in NI that puts us on a competitive footing in this region to make investment and development a more attractive proposition.”
“Many of our members and those who are seeking to invest in the Greater Newry Area see the costs in securing electricity supply due to capacity issues as a real inhibitor to investment given the sheer scale of the ask and this is a direct result of Government Policy dating back to 2011 which puts the costs of access to the grid firmly at the door of the business or investor.”
“This is unsustainable when you look at the welcoming model that has been embraced in the Republic since the early 2000s, a model which has been the catalyst for the expansive economic growth south of the border throughout the last decade.”
“We now have a clearer picture on what needs to be done and will be engaging with the Department for the Economy and the Regulator as well as the political parties over the coming months to lobby for a change in policy that is more conducive to growth and offers the Greater Newry Area a level playing field when it comes to attracting investment and development opportunities to our city and the wider region.”