Minister Humphreys announces two local towns to benefit from new Streetscape initiative

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today announced that 26 towns and villages including Kilbeggan and Clara will receive €2.6 million in funding to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts.

Under the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative, retailers and property owners will be provided with grants that they can use to improve the exterior of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.

The overall purpose of the scheme is to give towns and villages a facelift and make them more attractive places to live, work or visit.

Reacting to the news of the new scheme Minister Hackett said: “The purpose of this scheme is to reinvigorate our towns and villages and make them more attractive places to live, work or visit. This grant will provide retailers and property owners with funds that they can use to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.”

“In December last, Clara received €100,000 to develop its own unique master plan. This further funding is another example of the continued investment in towns and villages across the country. Schemes like this one and the Town Centres First and Croí Conaithe Policies are all measures, brought in by this Government, to make our towns and villages more vibrant and ultimately bring people back to them. I’m delighted to see this continued investment in Clara” concluded the Minister.

Each local authority will receive €100,000 as part of the initiative.

The Minister has urged businesses, property owners and retailers in the 26 towns to apply to their local authority to avail of funding.

Making the announcement today, Minister Humphreys said:

“When I announced this initiative last year, there was a hugely positive reaction from businesses and retailers. I’m therefore delighted to announce 26 additional towns that will benefit from €2.6 million in funding from my Department.

“We all take pride in our rural towns and villages and want them to be as attractive and welcoming as possible. That’s exactly what Streetscapes is all about. I want as many businesses and property owners to get involved over the next few weeks and to avail of this funding.

“You may wish to give the front of your shop a new lease of life and repaint it in bright, vibrant colours. Perhaps you want to cover your windowsills with flowers and plants or purchase street furniture, canopies for your customers to enjoy.

“Or maybe you have an even bolder idea. This time round, I’m encouraging neighbouring businesses to submit a joint application to their local authority if they have a more ambitious proposal.

“For example, under the first tranche of funding, some businesses transformed their facades with attractive murals. That’s one way to make your town stand out.”

Ian Talbot of Chambers Ireland said:

“Continued investment in our towns is a critical driver of the domestic economy.

“In the post COVID landscape, including the rapid evolution of flexible working arrangements, making our towns ever more attractive places to live and work is essential to wellbeing and economic growth.

“We welcome this initiative and encourage the rapid deployment of these funds in the locations chosen.”

The 26 towns due to receive the funding were selected by each local authority in consultation with local businesses and community groups.

Local authorities will manage the initiative locally and will be advertising for applications in the coming weeks.

The types of projects that could be supported include:

· Strategic collaboration between property owners to paint buildings and/or shopfronts in vibrant colours

· Upgrade or restoration of historic / traditional shopfronts

· Provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flower boxes

· Installation of canopies

· Murals/public artwork