€2.6 million in funding has been announced to support the development of a wide range of Town Centre First projects. Minister Heather Humphreys, TD, today announced the funding will assist local authorities in creating a pipeline of significant, well-developed projects in local towns across Ireland. A total of 53 projects will be supported with up to €50,000 of funding per project.

This funding will support pre-development works for projects and support costs including detailed design, planning, procurement, professional fees, assessments and other development costs

Laois

Government funding of €100,000 has been announced for Laois Town Centre First projects.

Mountrath will receive €50,000 to rejuvenate the town square, improve pedestrian facilities, and create a dedicated space for community facilities.

Rathdowney will receive €50,000 to also rejuvenate and reimagine the town square into a multifunctional area for markets and events. This funding will support pre-development works for both projects and planning costs and design for the Mountrath and Rathdowney town teams.

Mountrath town centre

Longford

Longford town will receive €50,000. The project relates to the conversion of yard space to create additional artist’s studio space to support the work of Engage Longford. Engage Longford is an artist’s-led organisation that provides a platform to promote Longford as a hub for visual art. The fundamental objective is to procure a permanent space, in order to provide exhibition opportunities for graduate and emerging artists within the county. Funding will be used to complete the survey and engineering/ architect costs and prepare a design plan for Garvey’s Yard.

_{The Co-op in Clara and Garvey’s Yard, Longford}

Offaly

Offaly has secured €50,000 for the Co-Op on River Street, Clara. This funding will be used to engage the services of an architect led design team that will deliver a detailed proposal and planning permission for the refurbishment and conversion of the now derelict former co-operative building, into a multi-purpose community space. 

Town Centre First

Town Centre First contains 33 unique actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, visit and run a business. Town Regeneration Officers in all relevant Local Authority areas are being funded by the Department to drive forward Town Centre First on a local level.