A new headquarters for the Wrights Group will result if the proposed Gateway project, a public/private partnership to develop a 97-acre site adjacent to the Ballee estate, Ballymena, goes ahead.
The project, which has the potential to create 1,000 jobs, will encompass training, social intervention services, social housing, a motor village and food retail. It’s described as being the result of “the collective vision” of five project partners – Green Pastures Church, Gateway Social Investments, Compassion Ministries, Connect Ministries and the Wrights Group.
Pastor Jeff Wright, who is also Wrights Group shareholder, said: “The Gateway project will also house a new church and conference facility to support our ever-growing church family. It will allow us to expand our ministries including kids, youth, senior citizens and community work and d positively impact the communities we are connected to.”
Green Pastures’ church is currently on part of Wright’s Galgorm site. Relocating it would free space for the new headquarters building. Subject to planning approval, construction of the Gateway project is expected to start in mid-2015 with phase one set to take 18 months.
