Three city deal innovation schemes will create 4,000 jobs for north, industry stakeholders told

A £230 million commitment to three key innovation projects could produce 4,000 high quality jobs for the north, the deputy vice-chancellor of Queen’s University has said.

The benefits and progress of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), Momentum One Zero, and iREACH Health initiatives was laid out by Professor Stuart Elborn to 200 people in Belfast on Wednesday.

The three projects are part of the Belfast Region City Deal package, with £170m pledged from the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Planning approval is already in place for the £100m AMIC in Newtownabbey, sometimes styled as a ‘factory of the future’, while the green light for the £62m Institute of Research Excellence for Advanced Clinical Healthcare scheme was issued earlier this year.

The project next to Belfast City Hospital will see the Russell Court buildings on the Lisburn Road demolished to make way for new clinical research facilities.

Momentum One Zero is a £70m global innovation centre led by Queen’s, which the university said could reshape Northern Ireland’s digital landscape.

New partnerships have already been formed with grants secured, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding earlier this year with Health and Social Care Northern Ireland to shape the design of a data sharing arrangement in a trusted research environment.

Speaking at the event, Economy Minister Conor Murphy said the initiatives will help translate innovation into tangible outcomes for the wider economy.

“These projects will support the creation of thousands of good jobs right across the north, building a highly skilled workforce, and delivering a prosperous and sustainable economy,” he said.

“Not only do they therefore support my four economic objectives, but also wider health, environment, and societal outcomes which we all know are critically important in ensuring good lives for local people.”

He said the four city and growth deals planned for the north will see around £1.3 billion of public investment, and leverage additional funds from the private sector.

“They will act as catalysts for start-ups, providing entrepreneurs with the resources they need to launch their ideas, and to gain a significant competitive edge, whilst boosting our regional productivity,” added the minister.

“I have no doubt that – with the support of all partners – they will stimulate new industries, support businesses to innovate and expand, and in doing so, create more good jobs right across the north.”