Fine Gael TD for Cork North-West, Áine Collins, has said that Commercial and Community Projects in Charleville, Kanturk and Newmarket will be grant aided as a consequent of the REDZ Funding announced last week.
Charleville which is included with Kilmallock will benefit to the tune of €150,000 for a wide range of projects. Kanturk and Newmarket have secured €24,000 in grant aid. This will enable the completion of a Greenway Path from Kanturk to Newmarket. This is a great opportunity for both communities and the first step in creating, what could be a fantastic tourist attraction.”
“This is a new initiative by the Government in conjunction with The Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA),” Deputy Collins said.
Deputy Collins states that “this is a new systematic and cultural approach to planning that is focussed on participation and flexibility while centred on evidence of where the potential for economic development is situated.
“The intention and objective is to implement a more integrated, “joined up” approach to planning at a local level particularly with the introduction of the Local Economic and Community Planning processes at county level.
“By identifying the need for economic development strategies at local level REDZ funding will enable communities to fund and develop local development strategies that are appropriate for their needs,” she said.
“To see three areas in my constituency successful in securing funding is fantastic. I know that this funding will go into much needed projects in Kanturk, Newmarket and Charle-ville. These communities know what is best for them and I hope this pilot funding will provide the much needed resources.”
“It is hoped that if this pilot scheme is a success, a call for proposals for a more extensive REDZ initiative, under the LEADER elements of the RDP, will take place next year and that more communities across Cork North-West will be successful,” Deputy Collins concluded.