West Cavan Fianna Fáil Councillor John Paul Feeley has warmly welcomed in excess of € 800,000 for projects in West Cavan under the Harnessing Natural Resources Fund from INTEREG 4A.
‘This level of funding can have a major impact, improving services and enhancing facilities for the people of West Cavan. I welcome it warmly and thank all of those involved, particularly, Vincent Reynolds and his staff in Cavan County Enterprise Board who are the lead partners in the project and the staff of INTEREG,’
The fund, totally € 3.064554 million will support 26 projects across counties Cavan, Leitrim and Fermanagh and involves a partnership between Cavan and Leitrim County Councils, Fermanagh District Council, Coillte, Waterways Ireland and other state agencies and draws from the work of various community groups. The funding is made up of 75% from the EU with the remaining 25% contributed by the Stormont Executive and the Irish Government. There is no local contribution to the various projects.
‘The twenty six projects vary in cost from € 500,000 to € 26,000 and all are significant to the communities involved. I am delighted that the largest single project to be funded is the restoration of Dowra Courthouse as an arts workspace and tourist information point. Dowra Courthouse has for too long been a run down eyesore and this investment will transform the building at the centre of the village.’
Other projects to be funded include the investment of € 194,261 in a Rural Business Park at the Enterprise Centre in Blacklion, € 92,556 to complete the Blacklion Village Trail and looped walks in Gowlan and € 98,409 for a multi-purpose sports area in Swanlinbar.
‘I want to complement in particular Vincent Reynolds, the Chief Executive of Cavan County Enterprise Board and his staff on the huge amount of work they have put in to get the Harnessing Natural Resources Programme to this stage. They have worked closely with the County Councils and with Joanne Hayes, Cavan Tourism Officer and Eilish McLoughlin of the West Cavan/West Fermanagh Project to develop each of the individual projects. The huge body of work involved has paid a great dividend. Well done to all involved. Since I became a County Councillor and more recently as a member of Cavan County Enterprise Board I have highlighted a number of these projects and I am delighted to see funding put in place to implement them.’
The project will be managed by Margaret McEvoy who previously worked on the Breifne Project together with one part-time assistant.
‘While the project must be carefully managed, the administration costs will be minimised. Margaret McEvoy is very familiar will the areas involved and will work closely with all the parties and communities to make implement the project effectively.’