Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning approval for a new £20million data centre in Coleraine
In a statement on the DoE website the Department indicated that the proposal is expected to create 15 new jobs for Coleraine. It will see the development of a new building on a site on the edge of the town on Portstewart Road near the University of Ulster campus.
Mark H Durkan said: “This is a good news story for Coleraine. I welcome this type of high-tech proposal which boosts economic development. An investment of this size highlights how Coleraine is ideally positioned to harness its’ potential to attract digital companies to invest here, due to its super-fast broadband connectivity.
“This development will create jobs and will act as a catalyst to stimulate further similar development, consolidating the role of Coleraine as a digital hub for the area. The announcement that new jobs will be created is especially pertinent given the Investment Conference taking place in Belfast this week.
“This application was turned around in just nine weeks. Speedy decisions such as this emphasise my Department’s commitment, and mine, to assist business and help strengthen our economy.”
The development builds on the role of Coleraine as a digital hub with the development of Project Kelvin in recent years. Project Kelvin is a highly innovative communications infrastructure investment that connects Northern Ireland to North America, UK and mainland Europe.
Concluding, Mark H Durkan said: “Access to high speed, high quality broadband services is now fundamental for businesses to maintain their competitive advantage and expand to develop new markets. It is encouraging to see Coleraine being chosen as a perfect location from which to do this.”