The rural area of Killeshin on the outskirts of Carlow town has developed considerably over the past number of years due to tireless community work – and they were rewarded the maximum €500,000 grant last week in the Town and Village Renewal programme.
The Killeshin Digital Hub is a project that will result in the second phase development of the Killeshin Community Centre on what is the site of the old school.
This will involve the installation of a digital hub/hybrid workspace to accommodate 20 people who wish to avail of remote working facilities in Killeshin.
The news comes on the back of the recent Sports Capital Grants which saw €92,000 awarded to Killeshin GAA for the development of a new clubhouse and €52,669 given to Killeshin AFC for the further extension of their playing pitches.
The Bloom HQ Digital Enterprise Hub in Mountrath has been awarded €137,552 for the development of other vacant rooms in their home in the old Brigidine Convent while a disused site in Knock got almost €96,000 for the development of a vintage style Men’s Shed.
A similar project in Camross received €33,250.
“This funding is extremely welcome news for rural Laois,” said Sean Fleming, Laois-Offaly TD and Minister of State in the Department of Finance.
“I congratulate the community leaders and volunteers involved in these projects which will bring much needed development to rural areas in the county.”
In all €766,652 was given to the four projects in Laois.
“The Government has announced funding for this new nationwide scheme to breathe new life and combat dereliction into rural towns and villages.
“The funding announced will benefit major projects in Killeshin, Mountrath, Knock and Camross.
“The quality of the applications were exceptionally high and I know these 4 local communities are ready to go with these projects immediately.
“The Killeshin Digital Hub Project will be a tremendous boost to this expanding area and will provide substantial additional employment through this new hub in the Killeshin Community Centre.
“These initiatives represent excellent value for money and will ensure smaller towns and villages across the county are more attractive and sustainable places in which to live,” added Laois-Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan.
“The funding will bring town and village centres back to life and will focus on remote working areas as well as tackling dereliction which is a scourge on the streetscapes of many towns and villages.
“A further call for applications under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme will be announced in the coming weeks and I urge local authorities and communities to come forward with more plans for their areas.”
“Some really interesting Laois-Offaly initiatives are being funded under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme,” added Minister for State Pippa Hackett.
“You have digital hubs in Killeagh, Killeshin, Mountrath, a men’s shed in Knock and the looped river walk in Clonbullouge.
“This mix says we want enterprise, activity, and recreation in our towns. Our people are coming up with the ideas and as the only cabinet minister from the region, I’m glad to see this Government supporting them.”
The list of projects in Laois to receive funding is as follows.
Killeshin – €500,000
Killeshin Digital Hub: The proposed project will result in the 2nd phase development of the Killeshin Community Centre. This will involve the installation of a digital hub / hybrid workspace to accommodate 20 people who wish to avail of remote working facilities in Killeshin.
Mountrath – €137,552
The proposed project will result in the development of a number of vacant rooms in the Bloom HQ Digital Enterprise Hub, for educational and arts purposes.
Knock – €95,850
The proposed project will result in the development of a vintage style Men’s Shed on a currently dis-used site in Knock, Co Laois.
Camross – €33,250
Camross Park and Hub: The proposed project will enable the completion of the Camross Community Park and Hub. These are two key projects included in the Camross Development Plan 2019. They will provide outdoor recreational and remote working facilities for the local community.
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