Six projects in towns and villages across Galway have been allocated €650,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Portumna, Tuam, Athenry, Ballinasloe, Casla and An Spidéal are set to benefit from the allocation announced today by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
€250,000 will go towards refurbishing a long-term vacant building in Ballinasloe, and repurposing it to create a co-working hub.
An Spidéal and Portumna were allocated €100,000 each, which will see shopfronts and street facades upgraded, and the installation of outdoor picnic benches.
Tuam will benefit from €100,000 under the Streetscape Enhancement Measure.
A €50,000 feasibility study will be carried out for the development of Low Carbon Sustainable Centre of Excellence in Casla. Casla. This will include site selection survey, planning, EIA reports, road traffic audit, TIA, NIA, procurement and development costs, and admin costs.
€50,000 will also go towards the proposed Athenry Community Hub.
Welcoming the funding today, Minister Anne Rabbitte said the funding is all about tackling the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and villages.
“It’s about taking old buildings and giving them a new lease of life,” she said.
“This investment today will breathe new life into the likes of Portumna, which has been allocated €100,000 to enhance shopfronts and street facades.
“It’s also great to see Tuam chosen as the one town in Galway to receive €100,000 under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, which sees retailers and property owners 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 Galway East TD said that it is clear that 2023 is going to see a lot of development and upgrading of facilities, which is ‘fantastic to see’.
