Gildernew sees concrete evidence of Rural Development funding in action

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has visited Omagh to mark the release of £1million funding in the North West aimed at improving the quality of life through diversification of economic activity.

As part of the Rural Development Programme (RDP), the funding was awarded by Assisting Rural Communities North West (ARC NW) to project promoters throughout Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Limavady council areas under the Farm Diversification measure.

Praising ARC North West in achieving the ‘land mark’ £1million approval of grants to projects, the Minister said: “Farm family members can now move forward with plans to diversify or expand existing businesses, which will provide a very welcome additional income to their farm business and local rural economy. In today’s harsh financial climate the success of rural businesses and the economical survival of our rural communities are more important than ever.”

Speaking during a visit to ‘Colton Concrete’, in Dromore outside Omagh, where Mark Colton received a grant of £50,000 from ARC NW to expand his product line, the Minister added: “I am very encouraged that the roll-out of Axis 3 of the RDP has extended into the North West. One of the Rural Development Programme’s greatest qualities is that it allows us to support small business creation and development. Such enterprises help sustain and grow rural communities and often provide a badly needed boost.

“I have seen at first hand today what the RDP grant means to a rural business, helping increase turnover and creating employment. It is great to see RDP reaching grassroots level.”

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 ARC NW cluster (Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Limavady council areas) was £18,484,182 to deliver Axis 3 ‘Quality of Life’ Measures of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

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

• Diversification into non-agricultural activities – Farm Diversification
• 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 Programme on a sub-regional basis, and seven clusters were formed. Each cluster works with a Local Action Group ensuring bottom-up delivery with local people responsible for local decisions.

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