€15 million fund to revitalise rural towns & villages – more positive news for rural Ireland – Feighan.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Monday, May 3rd) announced €15 million in funding to help revitalise rural towns and villages post Covid-19.
Local TD and Minister of State at the department of Health, Frank Feighan has warmly welcomed this particular scheme for the Sligo Leitrim constituency as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is designed to breathe new life into rural communities – making them more attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family.
The measures that will be supported by the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme include:
Tackling dereliction in town centres
Turning vacant properties into remote working and community spaces
Supporting Local Authorities to run innovative marketing campaigns targeted at attracting remote workers to their county.
Investing in green spaces, parks and recreational amenities
Upgrading and improving shop fronts & streetscapes on Main Streets
Projects that support and enhance the night time economy and add vibrancy to town centres
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is administered through the Local Authorities, who are required to work closely with local communities and local businesses to develop and implement proposals.
The previous maximum grant of €200,000 has been increased to €500,000 under this year’s scheme so that projects of scale can be supported.
“I understand from Minister Humphreys that the focus of this year’s scheme is to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres and give them a new purpose – whether it is for remote working, cultural or community use. The Minister has increased the maximum grant to €500,000 this year so that projects of scale and ambition can be put forward.
“It is vital that in this constituency that Sligo, Leitrim Roscommon and Donegal councils engage with local businesses and property owners on our main streets and putting forward collaborative projects to upgrade shop fronts and enhance our streetscapes. Another great idea for community groups is that support is also available for murals in our town centres, perhaps dedicated to local cultural or sporting personalities and events. This is all about adding colour and vibrancy to our towns and villages making them more attractive places to live, work in and visit”, stated Minister Feighan.
“Minister Humphreys is conscious now during the pandemic that there is a momentum around remote working and for that reason this scheme will support Local Authorities to run innovative marketing campaigns highlighting what their area has to offer in terms of remote working facilities as well as cultural and recreational amenities. I believe we need to address the population imbalance in Ireland where many graduates from this region could only achieve meaningful employment based on their educational qualifications in Dublin, Galway or Cork, this scheme will assist the aim of attracting remote workers and the so called ‘digital nomads’ to come and live in the north west of Ireland.” Concluded Minister Feighan