Pictured with the Minister is Mayor of Ballymena Borough Council Audrey Wales and Council Chief Executive Anne Donaghy. PICTURE:BRIAN THOMPSON/PRESSEYE

FINANCE Minister Simon Hamilton MLA visited Ballymena today to hear first-hand how the business community in the borough is working together to grow the local economy.

He met with Council and local traders at a business lunch, including Ballymena Town Centre Development Ltd.

The Town Centre company includes representatives from local businesses and agencies within the public sector, who are working together to build on Ballymena¹s position as a major centre in the North East Region, and its growing reputation as a key economic hub in Northern Ireland.

Led by elected members, the delegation discussed key initiatives such as the use of Enterprise Zones to boost the local economy.