Rural Affairs Edwin Poots has visited the Mid and East Antrim area where £4.6million has been invested in projects that support rural businesses, communities and villages and have created 63 jobs.
The visit was hosted by Mid and East Antrim’s Local Action Group (MEA LAG) which was formed in 2016 to deliver the LEADER element of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme across the borough.
The Minister first visited Carey Cleaning Machines, which received around £140,000 to expand their premises, enhance its product offering and embrace market expansion.
Minister Poots then visited Ahoghill Nature Park, where around £230,000 was allocated for a contemplative garden area including two wildlife ponds surrounded by wetland planting and a fenced off children’s play park. To mark the visit, Minister Poots planted a mature cherry tree at Ahoghill Nature Park along with two pupils from Fourtowns Primary School.
In his final visit, The Minister visited Portglenone Enterprise Group (PEG) which received almost £150,000 to convert the former Northern Bank building into a community hub and office space.
Speaking of the visits, Minister Poots said
“I am delighted to visit these three rural projects today and be able to see first-hand the benefits that this funding has brought to these areas. I am very impressed that the funding provided to William Carey under the Rural Business Investment Scheme has created employment in the area and has the potential to create further jobs in the future. This project demonstrates what the funding can do for businesses and how it can assist with their growth plans.
“The Nature Park in Ahoghill and particularly the planting of the mature Japanese Cherry trees will benefit and be enjoyed by the local community for many years to come. We have seen over the last year the uptake in getting outdoors and enjoying nature and the health and well-being benefits that this brings.
“The Bank project is a great example of how a range of funders can be brought together to develop an excellent facility such as this one in Portglenone. This community asset is an important hub providing a range of basic services which will improve the quality of life for the community of Portglenone and its surrounding area.
“I congratulate you all and wish you every success going forward.”
MEA LAG Chair, Kelli McRoberts said:
“£4.6million of funding from DAERA, has been utilised in helping us grow the local economy in a sustainable manner. To date 63 jobs have been created. The funding has enabled us to improve a range of services and infrastructure, creating vibrant rural communities and working in partnership with neighbouring Councils and cross border partners in Waterford.
"By the end of the programme, MEA LAG will have funded 70 projects under the four measures of Rural Business Investment, Village Renewal, Basic Services & Cooperation. This programme has allowed us to deliver on projects that are hugely beneficial to the people of Mid and East Antrim.”
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Peter Johnston said:
“It is a pleasure to welcome Minister Poots to Mid and East Antrim so that he can see how the funding has been utilised.”
RDP funding under the Basic Services measure was secured as part of a package by Portglenone Enterprise Group (PEG) with funding also provided by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council to convert the former Northern Bank building into a community hub and office space.
Councillor Johnston continued:
“PEG has worked hard in transforming the derelict and disused building into a mixed-use development comprising of social, community, heritage and economic use. It was a pleasure to give Minister Poots a tour of the building to show how the funding has restored the rich heritage of the building back to life with a focus on the provision of a community hub.”
Mid and East Antrim Local Action Group delivers the EU LEADER schemes of the Priority 6 Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The LAG is made up of 23 members – 12 social members representing, business, farming and the community sectors and 11 elected members.
Carey Cleaning Machines, based at Woodside Road Ballymena secured funding through the Rural Business Investment Scheme to construct new purpose-built premises. The company provides bespoke cleaning equipment to clients in the education, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, warehousing and public transport sectors.
Portglenone Enterprise Group (PEG) received RDP funding under the Rural Basic Services Scheme to add to the cocktail of funding the group had already secured including from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Mid & East Antrim Council, to provide a community hub for the local area.