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Local Economy
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Population
The recorded population for the network area
in 2001 census (N.I) was 25,761 persons.
Of this total, 8,895 were under 18 years of
age. There were 14,027 persons between the
ages of 18-64 years and 2,839 persons over 64
years.
Economic
Activity
Of the economically active population, 74.6%
were employed, 22.9% were unemployed
and 2.5% were on a Government Training Scheme.
Approximately 83% of the population in work
were employed in one of five industry divisions.
Approximately 28% of persons working in the
area were employed n the other
services sector, 16% in the
catering/distribution sector, 15% in the agri/fishing/forestry
sector, 13% in the other manufacturing sector
and 11% in the construction sector. |
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Agriculture
Agriculture is the main land use in the
network area and the single most important local
industry. Almost two-thirds of farms are
involved in cattle and sheep production while
pig and poultry rearing are also important.
Part of the network area is within the
Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
with a number of locations classed as
Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA). The ESA
Scheme was introduced by DANI to help
safeguard areas of countryside where the
landscape, wildlife or historic interest is of
particular interest. |
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Forestry
Approximately 2,400 hectares are devoted to
woodland, of which 800 hectares are
managed publicly and 600 hectares privately.
The network area includes in a number of
tourist locations such as Drum Manor and
Davagh Forest Parks. |
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Fishing
The network area is distinguished within
Northern Ireland by its commercial fishing
interest with Lough Neagh producing
approximately 95% of the Northern Ireland eel
catch.
Lough Neagh also functions as an important
fishery for perch, pullen and trout
(dollaghan), although in recent years
production has declined due possibly to over
fishing, disease and/or natural variations in
the fish population. There are a number of
commercial fish farms located along the
Ballinderry River. |
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Tourism
Tourism in the locality is based predominantly
on the area’s natural and built heritage
with Lough Neagh and the Sperrins providing
the major focal points for a range of
recreational and tourism activities. There are
also a number of specific tourist
attractions such as Drum Manor Forest Park,
Wellbrook Beetling Mills, Springhill House
and the historic plantation settlement of
Moneymore.
The area is also proud of its archaeological
heritage with attractions such as
Ardboe Cross, Beaghmore Stone circles, and
Tullyhogue Fort. The Ballyronan Marina
provides a range of tourism based facilities
including picnic, caravan and amenity sites.
There is potential for future growth of this
sector within the network area. |
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Industry
The area has a modest manufacturing base set
against an important but declining
agricultural sector and an expanding service
sector. Dominant industries are
traditionally based on natural resources and
significant employment is still provided in
industries related to food processing and to
the extraction of minerals and aggregates.
The main focus of industrial development in
recent years has been the significant
development at Ardboe Enterprise Park,
Coalisland Industrial Park and at the
Crieve Centre in Stewartstown. |
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Retail and
Services
The larger villages of Coalisland, Coagh,
Moneymore, Pomeroy and Stewartstown
provide an important commercial focus for the
extensive rural hinterlands. There is also
a substantial number of isolated local retail
and service facilities located in smaller
villages and the network’s wider rural area
particularly close to the Lough Neagh shore. |
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