Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has announced €15 million in funding to help revitalise rural towns and villages in Kildare post Covid-19.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is designed to breathe new life into rural communities – making them more attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family.
“As part of the Government ambitious new rural development policy, Our Rural Future, I am determined to make our rural towns and villages in Kildare vibrant and attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family,” said Senator O’Loughlin.
The initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future – the Government’s five year strategy to revitalise rural Ireland and eight venues can be put forward by each Local Authority including Kildare County Council.
The measures that will be supported by the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme include:
Tackling dereliction in Kildare town centres
Turning vacant properties in Kildare into remote working and community spaces
Supporting Kildare County Council to run innovative marketing campaigns targeted at attracting remote workers to their county.
Investing in green spaces, parks and recreational amenities in Kildare
Upgrading and improving shop fronts & streetscapes on Main Streets locally
Projects that support and enhance the night time economy and add vibrancy to local town centres
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is administered through Kildare County Council, who are required to work closely with local communities and local businesses to develop and implement proposals.
The previous maximum grant of €200,000 has been increased to €500,000 under this year’s scheme so that projects of scale can be supported.