Over €2m announced for Westmeath projects under Just Transition fund
Details were announced today (Tuesday) of 47 more projects in the Midlands which will receive grants of €100,000 or more through the Government's Just Transition fund.
Minister of State Robert Troy welcomed the announcement, stating that four projects based in his native Westmeath had secured over €2 million in funding.
"Over €2 million has been approved for developing and supporting community projects in Westmeath," he said.
"This is a testament to the innovative and inspiring work carried out by Westmeath County Council, businesses, local groups and communities in Kinnegad, Killucan, Kilbeggan and Ballinahown and more broadly across the Midlands regions.
"Their commitment to supporting their communities is commendable and will contribute to the collective efforts to make the Midlands an attractive and sustainable place to live and work."
Here are the four Westmeath projects, and the funding announced for them:
* Kinnegad Economic Enterprise Space (Westmeath County Council) - €841,657
* Pedestrian and Cycle Link - Killucan to Royal Canal (Westmeath County Council) - €391,000
* Renovation of the Harbour Building Kilbeggan (Kilbeggan Grand Canal Harbour Amenity Co Ltd, and Westmeath County Council) - €622,073
* Ballinahown Village Hall Revitalisation Project (Ballinahown Community Development Ltd) - €212,500
Funding was also announced today for a number of other projects designed to benefit communities across Roscommon, Westmeath and Offaly.
A sum of €1 million was announced for "training and upskilling" of Bord na Móna employees, while a further €1 million will go to a "Bord na Móna Medicinal Herbs Project".
Other projects of local interest which will receive funding include:
* Ballyforan Greenway Loop (Ballyforan Area Transition Team) - €977,500
* Clontuskert Ballyleague Bog Heritage Train (Roscommon County Council) - €212,000
* Clontuskert Ballyleague Visitor Centre and Organic Farm (Roscommon County Council) - €212,000
* Empower Eco (Athlone Institute of Technology) - €907,765
* Ferbane Food Campus and Innovation Centre (Ferbane Business and Technology Park CLG) - €595,000
* Lough Boora Discovery Park and Midlands Cycling Destination - Sustainable Connections 2020 (Offaly County Council) - €998,155
* Lough Ree Access for All (Lough Ree Access for All CLG) - €471,693
* Lough Ree Distillery - Phase 2 (Blacksmith Ventures Limited) - €1,000,000
* The Lir Project (Fergal Moran and Brian O'Carroll) - €1,000,000
* Pulse Hub: Creation of Remote Working Hubs in Ballinasloe Town (Ballinasloe Area Community Development CLG) - €490,747
Today's funding announcement has also been welcomed by Westmeath Minister of State Peter Burke.
"This is an exciting day for Westmeath and the Midlands, and I look forward to seeing all those projects come to fruition to create employment and boost the economy of the region," he said.
"This money will regenerate and renew these areas and will be Government investment very well spent."
The full list of projects to be awarded funding of €100,000 or more can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund/