The Councils have a long history of collaborative working which is now structured under the North West Regional Development Group (NWRDG) involving Elected Representatives from both Donegal and Derry City & Strabane District Councils.
The overall aim of the NWRDG is to advance the North West of Ireland as a region under three strategic pillars:
• Business and Economic Growth
• Physical and Environmental Development
• Community and Social Cohesion and Wellbeing
This new economic development initiative will see both Councils working collaboratively to actively market the North West of Ireland.
The services of Boston-based economic development consulting firm Benchmark Strategieshas been engaged on a pilot basis for the next six months to support thisbilateral trade and investment initiative in Massachusetts.
The Councils will be working closely with corporations, industry associations, site selection consultants and with the involvement of the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Invest NI to build business partnerships that will lead to job creation and economic growth.
This initiative will serve a dual mission assisting U.S. companies to utilize theNorth West as a gateway to Europe and help accelerate Irish based companies expand into the North American market.
Commenting jointly following the announcement this week, Seamus Neely from Donegal County Council and John Kelpie from Derrry City and Strabane District Council said: “Our proposition is a simple one – we have some of the most talented, innovative and creative companies situated anywhere in the world.
“We can offer companies, with expansion plans the opportunity to trade within both the EU and UK regulatory environments. We can support this expansion through superfast broadband connectivity, a University educated skills base and a competitive corporation tax base.
“The North West of Ireland has a long history of collaboration and business linkages with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and we are delighted to announce this strategic initiative aimed at further embedding these relationships.”
In November, both Councils will lead a joint business delegation to Massachusetts. This delegation will include locally based companies that are interested in expanding to the United States.