Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, has announced that Ballybay and Killeshandra have been approved to develop "Town Centre First Plans." Both towns will now receive funding of €30,000 each to deal with issues such as vacancy and dereliction, attracting new investment and tourism and driving future growth. The Town Regeneration Officers in Monaghan and Cavan will drive forward a series of projects aimed at revitalising Ballybay and Killeshandra, as part of the local Minister's initiative. Bailieborough and Carrickmacross have already received funding under the Town Centre First initiative - and their respective plans were published.
In a statement issued to Northern Sound, Minister Humphreys said; "I’m delighted to announce that Ballybay and Killeshandra are now being designated as Town Centre First Towns. As we all know, communities are at the heart of rural Ireland. Town Centre First is all about empowering people to develop a vision for their town that can make it a better place to live, work, invest in and enjoy. These Plans and the new Town Regeneration Officers are about ensuring there is a strategic and coherent approach at local level to tackling vacancy and dereliction in our towns and villages.
"Government is firmly committed to strategic projects that will transform rural Ireland such as under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and we are already seeing the hugely positive impacts of investment right across the country. Along with Bailieborough and Carrickmacross, we will now help support Ballybay and Killeshandra in driving forward initiatives that will see the communities there reap the benefits."
