INVEST NI has said the decision to sell off its 76-acre technology park in Antrim is not motivated by financial pressure.
The business park at Muckamore, which is primarily home to tyre sensor manufacturer Sensanta Electronics, has gone on the market seeking offers of at least £6.95 million.
Pressure on Invest NI’s resources and funding has been a feature in recent meetings of the economic support body’s Executive Leadership Team.
But Invest NI said yesterday that the sale of Antrim Technology Park was not the result of those pressures.
In a statement, it said: “Department of Finance Land and Property Services guidance requires public bodies such as Invest NI to keep their property holdings under continual review and to limit property holdings to the minimum required to meet needs.
“Generally, once industrial estates are fully occupied, or close to it, Invest NI will consider them for possible onward sale.”
Invest NI the decision followed discussions with the Strategic Investment Board, the body responsible for developing investment strategy on behalf of the Executive.
“As it is now approaching full capacity, Invest NI, in liaison with the Strategic Investment Board, considered this to be an opportune time to sell the park in order that it can be further developed by the private sector.
“This is a strong investment opportunity that will have a significant impact on the local Antrim area and the wider Northern Ireland economy.
“The money generated through the sale of the park will be returned to the Department of Finance to ultimately determine how it will be allocated.”
Opened in 1986 by the old Industrial Development Board, a precursor to Invest NI, the site was targeted at high-tech firms.
Schrader Electronics, which was acquired by Sensata in 2014, became its biggest tenant.
Sensata last year announced plans to shed 160 jobs at the Antrim Technology Park site. It followed a decision to shut its factory in Carrickfergus in January 2020, with the loss of 270 jobs.
