The economic prosperity of the area and people that I represent is a priority for me. Unemployment has been on the rise in recent years due to the recession and the need for inward investment is of paramount importance. With increasing global competition, there is no room for complacency and I am working closely with both government and local business representatives to expand our manufacturing base and attract even more investment into the Lagan Valley region. This includes the prospect of multi-million pound developments at Sprucefield and the regeneration of the Maze site, both of which offer the prospect of creating thousands of new jobs.