Carrickfergus Enterprise has revealed expansion plans for its existing 60,000 sq ft site.
The business park, which opened in 1994, has 39 units with 13 high-tech offices.
Key sectors currently represented at the park include manufacturing, ICT services, research and development, life sciences, fabrication services and financial services.
After hitting full occupancy for the first time in 20 years, plans for a new 12,750 sq ft extension have been revealed.
Currently, the business park hosts 36 tenants and employs 140 staff. This new expansion will offer between 24-28 new offices supporting the creation of 80 to 100 jobs.
Bill Adamson, chairman of Carrickfergus Enterprise, said: “The 100% occupancy is great news for Carrickfergus Enterprise and the Mid and East Antrim borough. The area has faced several blows this year. However, full occupancy at the park demonstrates a renewed confidence in the local economy. We are proud to help and support local SMEs as they grow their businesses.
“We’ve seen a greater demand for modern high-tech offices as a response to the changing nature of work in the local area. Entrepreneurs are increasingly tapping into the digital economy and need a supported space to be able to advance their business.”
Carrickfergus Enterprise said the offering of high-quality office space will accommodate Carrickfergus’ transition from traditional manufacturing to the digital economy.
The expansion is aligned to Mid and East Antrim‘s Amplify Strategy, which intends to tackle the limited number of digital and technology firms in the borough.
The strategy is aimed at promoting knowledge economy jobs to create more opportunities in priority sectors such as digital, financial and business services, advanced manufacturing and agri-food sectors.
Due to the high demand in the business park, the social enterprise hopes to secure funding to begin building this fourth phase to accommodate the need for more high-tech office space.