Statement
16 January 2007
Mayor of Ards, Councillor Angus Carson, has expressed his regret at the potential job losses at McCleary Yarns and pledged that Ards Borough Council will take a practical approach to the help those affected in the Killinchy and wider area.
“Once again, a textiles factory employing people in a rural area faces closure and the local economy faces another blow,” said Councillor Carson. “Our reaction, however, must be practical, as it has been in the recent past. We will focus our efforts on offering advice for those needing new employment, communicating with local businesses seeking new employees, training for those seeking to develop their skills and providing welfare advice for those who will, sadly and clearly, find it hard to sustain their families”.
The Council’s Employment Taskforce, co-ordinated by Alderman George Ennis, Chairman of its Development Committee, will be working with those affected and the various organisations which can offer assistance to employees likely to be made redundant.
Alderman Ennis commented on the need for investment in rural areas to develop new job opportunities:
“The rural economy throughout Northern Ireland is very, very, fragile and I sympathise with those who may soon be out of work in what was once a strong sector of our economy. This is no longer the case and we must re-double our efforts to create jobs, consolidate business and seek investment in rural areas, as the Council is doing with our enterprise partners”.
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Submitted by The Editor on Tue, 2007-01-16 19:38.
