Minister of State for NI Conor Burns MP met with the Lord Mayor and senior council leaders in Armagh last week to discuss levelling up, UK City of Culture 2025 bid and the £126m Mid South West Region Growth Deal.
The minister visited Armagh Gaol and Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, both of which are earmarked for investment through the various funding streams.
Speaking at Armagh Gaol last week, Minister Burns said,
“I’m delighted to be in Armagh hearing about the exciting bid for UK City of Culture 2025. It’s great news that they’re down to the final eight. Really exciting proposal to shine a light on the very best of this area. I’m here in Armagh Gaol, one of the projects that would be subject to a massive renewal project, bringing it into use for the community.
“I’m also here to discuss our levelling up paper that we published yesterday and hearing about how the £126 million growth deal that is benefitting the Mid South West Region, part of our project to level up all regions and all communities throughout the United Kingdom, offering opportunities of skills and training, creation of new jobs and prosperity spread throughout our great United Kingdom. A really exciting project for everyone here and across Northern Ireland, and a project that everyone can get behind.”
Welcoming the minister to the Archbishop’s Palace in Armagh City, Lord Mayor Alderman Glenn Barr said:
“Investment in our Borough is key to ensuring we have a cultural centre fit for the future. We welcome Minister Burns here to showcase the best of what our Borough has to offer in terms of arts and culture, history and heritage, and business and enterprise.”
