Speaking at Friday's meeting in Ballymagorry, Derry accountant Niall McAteer, from Fergus McAteer & Co Chartered Accountants confirmed that investors had promised to invest £60m providing planning permission was granted.

"I can report to you that as a result of these discussions a firm commitment has been made to invest in the Strabane area. We can look forward to an investment of almost £60 million pounds in this area.

"This will cover various buildings, businesses and infrastructure that will fulfil both investors' needs and community needs," he said.
He continued: "Included in this is a specific undertaking to build an office facility to accommodate 100 new quality jobs."

However, Mr McAteer said that the last piece of the jigsaw was the planning approval, and the successful resolution of this would pave the way for project implementation and delivery.

"This will be a major financial injection of new money that will race through the veins of the local economy creating many direct and indirect jobs.

"In the past some called Strabane the economic and employment blackspot of the North, with your help this is all being changed. No more second class Strabane. The so called blackspot is rapidly becoming a hot spot." he said.

Mr. McAteer continued: "I would urge all in this area to continue to think and act like a regional economy and enable each part of our region to play to its competitive strengths and advantages. What is good today for Strabane can be good for Derry, good for Limavady, good for Omagh and all who live in our natural hinterland," he said.

Meanwhile Joe Barber, Vice President of Strabane Chamber of Commerce said that the success of the plans, specifically the blueprint for the Camel's Hump site depended on the final approval for planning permission by the Environment Minister Arlene Foster.

"The plans will come before Minister Foster, hopefully within the next few months... There has been technical difficulties in the past with the sites but we have been told by the investors that they will confirm their plans providing there are no delays with planning permission," he said.

Mr. Barber said that the Chamber had been approached by another three service industry companies to invest in the town but until sites are confirmed they cannot be named.