More than £27 million has been paid to large-scale businesses in Northern Ireland through Covid-19 grant support, Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced.
Mr Murphy said 552 businesses with a net annual value in excess of £51,000 had benefitted from £50,000 payments through the business grant scheme run by his department.
Those businesses were also beneficiaries of the 12-month rate bill holiday that the Executive introduced in response to the pandemic.
The minister visited two businesses in Newry this week that received the support.
“This scheme closed for applications just over a month ago and so far Land & Property Services has paid out over £27 million to businesses across all council areas,” he said.
“A wide range of businesses will benefit including retail stores, engineering companies, caravan parks and garden centres.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to visit businesses which have received the £50,000 grant and to hear the positive difference this funding will make.
“These larger businesses are a vital part of our economy, employing many people locally.
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“I was determined to ensure financial assistance was provided to these businesses which have been unable to access support up until now.”
Mr Murphy visited Exact Group, a precision engineering firm, and Louis Boyd clothes shop in Newry this week.
Liam Boyd, the managing director at the Louis Boyd chain, said: “Obviously this last year has been a challenge for us, but obviously the Government have come up with the grant scheme and rates holidays which has been really beneficial to our business while we were closed and give us a bit of a confidence to reinvest within the business.
“Going forward hopefully it will help us get back to where we were before the pandemic.”