American Delegation Visits the Council Area to Gain an Insight into Successful Economic Development
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council was delighted to welcome a high profile business delegation from Berrien County, Georgia, Atlanta to the area.
Lisburn and Castlereagh was top on their list of Northern Ireland Council areas to visit following two previous trade development programmes to Atlanta led by the Council, an extensive network of business contacts in the Atlanta area and an extensive programme of business development and inward investment initiatives which the Council is currently spear heading.
The American delegates had an opportunity to meet with Council representatives, network with local businesses and enterprise development organisations to learn more about Northern Ireland’s best connected, business friendly city, as well as having an opportunity to visit and hear first-hand from a number of leading local businesses at their premises.
Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Thomas Beckett, welcoming the delegation, said: “The Council is fully embracing the opportunity to showcase our businesses and indeed what our city can offer prospective partners. The fact that this delegation is visiting our area is no surprise as we are leading the way in terms of international trade, inward investment opportunities and the promotion of entrepreneurship.”
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has a strong background in economic development; and over the years it has worked with many local businesses and entrepreneurs to improve the local economy and successfully secure business growth.
Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, said: “It would be a privilege to extend the good relationship we have with local businesses to our Georgian guests, and on the back of this initial visit hopefully identify further opportunities for international collaborations through industry and tourism, which can help the Council secure new jobs and increase the level of exports for local companies.”
The Berrien County delegation was comprised of: Crissy Staley, Executive Director of Berrien County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority; Colonel Nick Lacey, Chairman of Berrien County Development Authority; Commissioner Robert Griner, Berrien County Commissioner and President of Citizen’s Bank; Ed Perry, Owner of Horse Creek Winery and Norman M. Lovein III, Chairman of Berrien County Chamber of Commerce. These delegates collectively represent a large number of business interests in the Berrien County area.
Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chief Executive added: “It was an honour to host the delegation from Berrien County and provide them with an insight into how we do economic development here in Lisburn & Castlereagh. The fact we had so many local companies attending demonstrates the outward and entrepreneurial looking nature of our companies and how they approach new business opportunities. I feel we have much to learn from each other, and I am sure this is only the first of many future meetings and discussions as we know this is a market with great synergies and potential for our Council area.”