Louth is to receive a total of €260k, and Meath €320k, to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts in rural towns and villages as part of a new €7 million national fund announced today by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.
The Streetscape Enhancement Initiative will provide funding to property owners to improve the facades of their buildings.
The new initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future and will make our rural towns and villages more vibrant and attractive places to live, work and visit.
The types of projects that could 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
- decluttering of streetscapes with removal of unnecessary signs / wires
Local Deputy Fergus O’Dowd said today’s announcement will be a great boost for communities in the county.
The Streetscape Enhancement Initiative is a key part of the Our Rural Future campaign and will make rural towns and villages more attractive places to live, work and visit. The allocation of funding is based on the number of towns and villages in each county.
O’Dowd said, “This will see communities across our county becoming more colourful, vibrant and attractive places. Projects will include upgrades to building facades, artwork, murals, lighting, street furniture and canopies.
“Other projects across Louth will include the commissioning of murals in towns and villages, the provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flowers boxes and the illumination and lighting of architectural features. It also includes the installation of canopies and street furniture which will contribute to the great work done by many bar and restaurant owners this summer.
“Collaboration and strategic thinking will form a key part of this initiative; Local Authorities will work with businesses and property owners, and we’ll also see strategic collaboration between property owners themselves to paint buildings or shopfronts in vibrant colours.”
Announcing the new initiative today, Minister Humphreys said, “We have all seen the huge success of towns across the country who have put a major focus on improving their streetscapes by painting buildings in vibrant colours, upgrading and restoring their traditional shopfronts and removing unnecessary clutter from their main streets.
“Outdoor Dining is here to stay, and I believe that will only be a positive for towns and villages across the country. Through this fund, we want to make sure that people are looking out at vibrant, colourful and welcoming streets in our rural towns.”
Funding Distribution
The bandings for the allocation of funding are based on the number of towns and villages in each county. The group of 9 Counties with the highest number of towns/villages will receive €320,000 (Band A), the next group of 9 counties will receive €260,000 (Band B) and the last group of 8 counties will receive €220,000 (Band C)
BAND A (€320K) – Cork, Kildare, Donegal, Limerick City & County, Meath, Galway, Clare, Tipperary, Wicklow.
BAND B (€260k) – Kerry, Mayo, Louth, Wexford, Fingal, Kilkenny, Offaly, Cavan, Laois.
BAND C (€220k) – Waterford City and County, Carlow, Leitrim, Sligo, Westmeath, Longford, Monaghan, Roscommon.
Grant Rates
Grant funding will be provided at the following rates:
- 70% for Individual premises – matched funding 30%
- 80% for Joint applications (groups of 3 or more adjacent premises) – matched funding 20%
- 100% – Where painting is undertaken by direct labour by applicant
