17/10/2005

Funding boost to reinvigorate rural communities

Rural communities and businesses will be key beneficiaries of a new programme aimed at increasing prosperity in disadvantaged areas.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) is to make available through the European Union Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity over £400,000 to Craigavon and Armagh Rural Development Ltd (CARD) to develop a multifaceted and ambitious project.

The Craigavon and Armagh Area Based Programme, comprises three main themes; a village environmental improvement scheme, a programme of tailored training and financial assistance targeted at rural craft businesses, and enhancement and development of a number of rurally located tourism facilities.

Speaking at the official launch, Pauline Keegan, Head of DARD's Rural Development Division, highlighted the benefits of the project to rural communities: "This project will see the participation of a wide range of groups and individuals in our Rural Development Programme and will result in the enhancement of a number of rural villages through the completion of environmental improvement schemes.

Services to the rural communities will also be improved through the installation of kiosks in these villages that will provide information tailored to the needs of the local community," she said.

Craigavon and Armagh Councils have each committed £45,980 of match funding to the project, which will have an overall value of some £570,000.

CARD have appointed a development officer to implement the programme and calls for applications to the various themes will take place in the coming months.

(MB/SP)

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