Today’s announcement is truly devastating and our thoughts go out to all of the employees and their families, many of whom have worked for JTI and previously Gallagher’s their entire working lives.  With the loss of just under 1,000 jobs this news will come as a crushing blow to the whole of the Mid-Antrim area. The repercussion on the local economy, at this stage, is immeasurable there is no doubt that the impact of this announcement will have far reaching effects.

At the start of JTI’s 90-day consultation with its employees, we can only hope this internationally recognised company will implement effective training options to help those who are being made redundant find alternative career paths.

Ballymena Chamber of Commerce & Industry would also encourage our MLAs, local MP and MEPs as well as the new Mid and East Antrim District Council to work closely together and in unison to scope-out other industrial opportunities to help fill this massive employment gap come May 2016.

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