Economic boost for South Antrim - Gildernew

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, today issued the first offers for funding, for farm diversification and business creation and development, under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

GROW South Antrim, was successful in securing almost £9million to deliver the Rural Development Programme (RDP) to help improve the quality of life in the rural areas of Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey borough councils.

Over the next few days, offers totalling £425,000 will be issued to 17 businesses in the council areas. Taking account of the required private match funding contributions, this will result in a total investment in the area of nearly £1million.

During a visit to Tardree Stone, Co Antrim, Minister Gildernew presented letters of offer to David McConkey, Tardree Stone, Antrim; Sam Bell, Sound Acoustic Management, Whitehead; and Stephen Herron, The Soccer Shed, Ballyclare.

Congratulating the successful applicants Minister Gildernew stated: “Since its launch, the enthusiasm and interest that has been shown for the Rural Development Programme has been tremendous. Presenting individuals with funding offers is what the programme is all about and it gives me a great sense of pride to see what we are achieving across the RDP.”

After a tour of the business the Minister said: “I am impressed to hear how David plans to use this financial support through the RDP to expand his diversification project particularly at this time when the economic conditions do not easily lend themselves to business expansion.

“It is to the local councils’ credit that they have made such good progress to ensure that rural communities could access funding as soon as possible. Funding initiatives such as the RDP can help rural businesses tackle some of the challenges faced by local businesses in the current economic climate.”

Cllr Janet Crilly, Chair of the GROW Joint Council Committee, congratulated those who had been awarded the first Letters of Offer: "GROW is delighted to be the first group in Northern Ireland to award funding to projects on the ground."

She said: "Despite the challenging economic times, we have been impressed in the innovative approach business owners and farmers are taking to provide employment and contribute to the sustainability of rural communities."

Local Action Group Vice-Chair, Brian Duffin, commented: "It is encouraging to see that in the tough climate, farmers and rural businesses are adapting and being forward thinking. As the first projects in Northern Ireland to benefit from this funding, we look forward to seeing them put their ideas into action."

The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Notes to editors:

1. The allocation to the GROW South Antrim cluster (Antrim, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey) was £8,890,899. (1st tranche £1,793,712 and final tranche £7,097,187).

2. This component of the RDP contains the following measures:

• Diversification into non-agricultural activities;
• Business creation and development;
• Encouragement of tourism activities;
• Basic services for the economy and rural population;
• Village renewal and development;
• Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage.

3. The Minister had asked local councils to come together in clusters to deliver the Axis 3 ‘quality of life’ measures of the new programme on a sub-regional basis, and seven clusters were formed. Each cluster is working with a locally formed action group to implement a locally prepared rural development strategy aimed at addressing need in the area.

4. The first tranche of allocations were calculated on the basis of equally weighted shares of cluster population, deprivation scale and deprivation extent. The indicative split of the first £50million was announced in June 2008 and confirmed to Joint Council Committees on 12 December 2008.

5. The second and final tranche of £50million was been calculated on the basis of competitive quality assessment of the local development strategies submitted.

6. All media enquiries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.