BIDs funding request

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are an effective way in which businesses can take control and improve their trading environment. They are funded and controlled directly by the businesses that pay for them.

It was agreed by councillors at committee level, last week, to support the Ballymena BID to the value of £60,000 for the year 2015-16 and then to review annually - on condition that a BID is successful.

Putting that recommendation to councillors, a council officer pointed out that the Ballymena BID is at an advanced stage with assistance through Interreg funding from Europe which is ring fenced to assist the development process up to March 31 of this year by which time a vote will have taken place.