Invest NI support secures £11m of investment in Ards and North Down Borough Council area

07 July, 2026

Invest Northern Ireland performance results for 2025/26 show that its support has helped secure £11m of business investment in the Ards & North Down Borough Council area.  

The agency offered £3m of assistance to help businesses in the area innovate, increase productivity and create new jobs. 50 new jobs will be created in the area as a result of this support. 

Speaking about the results, Iain Joannides, Head of Eastern Regional Business, Invest NI, said: “We have helped 73 companies in the Ards & North Down area implement projects that will help them grow their business. For example, McWhinney’s Sausages in Bangor is investing £2.2m in new equipment to increase productivity and automation with support from our Agri-Food Investment Initiative.  

“The 50 new jobs to be created in the area are good quality roles, with over 80 per cent paying wages above the NI Private Sector Median. After taking part on our FounderLabs programme, Trade Harmonizer is creating 13 of these jobs as it develops a new AI tool for customers across the UK, Europe and US. 

“We also saw a significant increase in the number of businesses in the area getting investment and support through our Access to Finance funds – 16 businesses accessed much needed finance.. 

“We are working with more companies in the area than before, thanks to our programmes Ambition to Grow and Business Innovation Grant,” added Iain. “These programmes are helping us reach small businesses that previously would not have been able to access Invest NI support. We have helped 27 entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Ards & North Down area innovate, create good jobs and increase external sales through these programmes to date.  

“Our strong relationship with Ards & North Down Borough Council also ensures businesses engaging with council programmes that have export potential get referred to Invest NI. In conjunction with the Council, we held a regional business advice clinic in Bangor and an Ambition to Grow drop-in clinic in Downpatrick to help businesses of all sizes access expert guidance, explore opportunities and connect with other local business owners.” 

The Ards & North Down Borough Council Briefing has now been updated and includes data on Invest NI support over the past five years (2021-22 to 2025-26).