Sligo County Council welcomed an announcement by Minister Heather Humphreys on January 6th that it was successful in its application for a €580,000 grant for Ballisodare under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
Rural Regeneration funding for Ballisodare
Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces €580,000 for landmark regeneration project in Ballisodare
The Project, led by Sligo County Council, who will provide match funding bringing the total investment to €725,000 will progress the Ballisodare Regeneration 2021 plans. The CE of Sligo County Council, Mr. Martin Lydon said
“I welcome the positive news of substantial RRDF funding for Ballisodare which will see plans developed for the backlands between the village centre and Falls area to include a new amenity area with activity and event spaces and off-street parking. The plans will include connectivity to the village through pedestrian routes, traffic management and a river trail.”
Speaking after the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Paul Taylor said that
“the investment in Ballisodare will enhance the village’s potential as a vibrant and sustainable place to live, work and visit and that the project funding is very welcome”.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced €21.5 million for 27 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country on January 6th.
The funding, under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), is being invested in projects that will rejuvenate town centres, drive economic growth and footfall, combat dereliction, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces and boost tourism in Rural Ireland.
The funding being announced will bring this project through the development stage and to the point where it is ready to commence works.
Announcing the funding for the 27 projects, Minister Humphreys said:
“In 2022, we will continue to roll-out unprecedented levels of investment in Rural Ireland – making our towns and villages even better places to live, work, raise a family and run a business.
“The projects being invested in represent the huge ambition that underpins ‘Our Rural Future’ and will have a truly transformational impact right across the country.
“When complete, these projects will leave a lasting difference on these locations for generations to come, benefitting tens of thousands of families in Rural Ireland.”
The successful projects announced today are Category 2 Projects. Projects funded under Category 2 are those that require significant development before they reach the stage of being shovel ready.
The announcement relates to Category 2 of the Fund which provides seed funding for strategic, large-scale projects which will assist in delivering town and village regeneration and economic and enterprise development.
The funding provided will enable the development of these projects to a high standard and get them to a point where they are ready to commence works. The funding also ensures a continuing ready-made pipeline of projects which can be progressed in the future with the support of the Fund or other funding streams.
The applications for funding were subjected to a comprehensive assessment process by the Department, with oversight provided by an independent Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives drawn from key Government Departments along with external independent experts.
Further details of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are available on the Department of Rural and Community Development website.