Wexford shares in €1.6m windfall for local projects
FOURTEEN towns and villages in County Wexford have been allocated funding out of a €1.16 million government pot allocated for mainly rural areas of the county.
The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which was launched in April, focuses on projects which can help to enhance and develop rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development.
Among those benefiting from the windfall are Ballindaggin, which is getting €100,000 for a walking and running track, Camolin, which is getting 48,000 for a biodiversity recreation park, and Our Lady’s Island which is to receive €100,000 for its public realm to create economic benefits for the area.
Minister Paul Kehoe said the funding will go a long way towards improving local facilities.
‘Here in Wexford we have placed a particular emphasis this year on projects which have the capacity to support the economic development of rural town and villages as well as their neighbouring townlands,’ he said.
‘Projects approve range from employment initiatives to tourism amenities and other measures aimed to help make small towns and villages a more attractive and sustainable places in which to live and work.’ The full list of local allocations are:
Ballcogley, public realm, €100,000; Ballindaggin, construction of a walking/running track and maintenance equipment, €97,125; Bree, digital/ training hub in community centre, develop a heritage walk and other facilities, €100,000; Bridgetown, development of an action plan to include a health check, €60,000; Bunclody, develop food hub and develop loop walk/cycle way (signposting), €100,000, Camolin, biodiversity recreation park, €48,000; Foulksmills, health check and town plan, €20,000, Gorey Heritage Trail, establish a creative hub and develop a marketing programme, €100,000; Kilanerin business centre in an existing community centre, €54,000; Kiltealy village enhancement, digital woodwork hub and feasibility study, €100,000: New Ross, develop a marked medieval town trail, €100,000; Newbawn, extend and renovate existing community centre, €100,000; Our Lady’s Island, public realm with economic benefit to the area, €98,400, and Rosslare Harbour health check and town plan €80,000.