€100,000 in funding announced for Ballyconnell

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced €100,000 in funding for Ballyconnell to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts.

Under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, retailers and property owners will be provided with grants that they can use to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.

The overall purpose of the Scheme is to give our towns and villages a facelift and make them more attractive places to live, work or visit.

The Minister today urged businesses, property owners and retailers in the 26 towns to apply to their local authority to avail of funding.

Making the announcement today, Minister Humphreys said: “When I announced this initiative last year, there was a hugely positive reaction from businesses and retailers. I’m therefore delighted to announce 26 additional towns that will benefit from €2.6 million in funding from my Department. We all take pride in our rural towns and villages and want them to be as attractive and welcoming as possible. That’s exactly what Streetscapes is all about. I want as many businesses and property owners to get involved over the next few weeks and to avail of this funding.”

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor John Paul Feeley welcomed the funding saying “the funding announced today from the Department of Rural and Community Development is a major boost for Ballyconnell and demonstrates the commitment of this Government to supporting rural towns. It provides businesses and property owners with a great opportunity to enhance their facades protecting our heritage and creating a more appealing streetscape for all. I want to thank the community groups who worked the Council to put together compelling applications to secure this funding. I hope that similar funding can be made available to other towns and villages around our County.”

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council Mr Tommy Ryan said “I want to thank Minister Humphreys and her Department for this significant investment in Ballyconnell and their continued support of the high quality of applications being put forward in Cavan. This funding will revitalize the town of Ballyconnell and will be a great benefit to both businesses in the town and the wider local community.”