South Roscommon to benefit from €7m Streetscape fund
The South Roscommon villages of Knockroghery and Athleague, along with Roscommon town, are among the 124 towns and villages that will benefit from a new €7 million fund to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced the list today (Monday).The Streetscape Enhancement Initiative is part of ‘Our Rural Future’ and is designed to make our rural towns and villages more attractive places to live, work and visit.
Under the scheme, property owners will be provided with funding to improve the façades of their buildings, carry out artwork and install features such as canopies and street furniture.
The 124 towns and villages were selected by each local authority, which will now begin the process of advertising locally for applications.
The types of projects to be supported include:
Strategic collaboration between property owners to paint buildings or shopfronts in vibrant colours
Commissioning of murals in towns and villages
Upgrade or restoration of historic / traditional shopfronts
Provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flowers boxes
Illumination and lighting of architectural features
Installation of canopies and street furniture
De-cluttering of streetscapes with removal of unnecessary signs / wires
Minister Humphreys today encouraged business and property owners in any of the 124 towns and villages selected to contact their local authority for information on how to apply.
Minister Humphreys said: “This unique initiative is about making our rural towns and villages more attractive and welcoming places for locals and visitors alike. Whether it’s painting buildings in vibrant colours, upgrading shop fronts or installing canopies or street furniture – this fund will provide a welcome boost to rural communities the length and breadth of the country.
“We all know that even the most modest of improvements to our buildings and streetscapes can make a huge difference, and so over the coming weeks, local authorities will work closely with businesses and property owners to give our towns and villages the facelift they deserve.”
The Minister said that when she launched the government’s new rural policy, ‘Our Rural Future’, she wanted to re-imagine and revitalise rural communities. “This initiative is a key part of realising that goal. I am really looking forward to seeing the sort of proposals that are put forward over the coming weeks.
“If you are a business or property owner in any of the 124 towns and villages, I encourage you to contact your local authority for details on how to apply. I have no doubt the projects will make a huge difference to towns and villages and the families there.”
Fine Gael Senator, Aisling Dolan, has welcomed the funding for South Roscommon and has pledged to work closely with the Local Authority to see that the funding is fully utilised.
“This fund for streetscapes and shopfront enhancement will be such a boost for towns in Roscommon. It will encourage people to shop and dine local and make our towns more attractive places to visit”.
“Businesses will be able to apply to Roscommon County Council for funding to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork and install features such as canopies and street furniture”.
“This is significant support for businesses in selected towns to upgrade vacant units. It is also an incentive for enterprising people with ideas for shops or cafes to consider starting a retail business in our local areas. Working together with neighbouring shops will also strengthen applications and I look forward to working with businesses to apply to this fund.”
“This is a part of a €7 million fund announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys for 124 Towns and Villages across the country. The Streetscape Enhancement Initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future and is designed to make our rural towns and villages more attractive places to live, work and visit.”