TOWN PLAN TO BE LAUNCHED AT CITY HALL
A step- by- step action plan to make towns and villages better places to work, shop, socialise and live in will be launched by a Government minister in Sligo next week.
Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor is launching a Framework for Town Centre Renewal in City Hall from 2- 3.30pm on Tuesday 25th April.
“I’m looking forward to launching the Framework for Town Centre Renewal in Sligo. It sets out a practical step- bystep action plan for stakeholders to work collaboratively to enhance their local town or village,” said Minister Mitchell O’Connor.
“It will be a support document for towns and villages applying for funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme,” she added.
The launch of the plan will follow the announcement last week of ¤ 20million for the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys.
It’s double the ¤ 10million awarded nationally under the same scheme last year which saw funding of ¤ 380,000 go to Sligo County Council.
It’s being rolled out in projects in Enniscrone, Tubbercurry, Ballisodare and Grange .
It’s hoped more towns and villages in the county will apply for funding under this year’s scheme, which is placing an emphasis on measures which have a “clear economic impact.”
“Some funding will be available for art works in public spaces which reflect the culture of a town or region and involve participation by local artists.
“Projects which demonstrate linkages with wider initiatives to increase the overall impact on town and village revival will be strongly encouraged also,” said Minister Humphreys.
The scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. Applications from towns can range from € 20,000 to a maximum of € 100,000.
Funding of up to € 200,000 will also be considered for a limited number of projects which can deliver exceptionally strong economic benefit to a town and its outlying areas.
“A number of towns and villages across Sligo- Leitrim were badly affected by the recession of recent years,” said Deputy Tony McLoughlin.
“I strongly encourage the County Councils for Sligo and Leitrim to apply,” he said.