Belturbet Regeneration Plan on track as €263,700 investment announced

A multipurpose digital enterprise and tourism hub is planned for Belturbet as a government allocation of over €200,000 has been announced.

Cavan County Council secured €210,960 in seed funding for the Belturbet Town Regeneration Plan under the latest round of the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), announced today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

The funding, which is to be matched by €52,740 in funding from Cavan County Council, will finance the preparation of plans for the development of a multipurpose digital enterprise and tourism hub and for the further development of the popular Belturbet Heritage Railway visitor attraction.

The project will address key needs in terms of enterprise development and help attract visitors to the town while addressing vacancy.

The Belturbet Town Regeneration Plan is one of 27 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country which are being funded today under Category 2 of the RRDF, which is intended for projects that require significant development before they reach the stage of being shovel-ready.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor Clifford Kelly welcomed the announcement, saying: “This combined investment of €263,700 by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Cavan County Council is a significant step in the regeneration of Belturbet Town and further illustration of the commitment of the Minister and her Department and of this Council to the revitalisation of rural Cavan.”

Making the €21.5million funding announcement today, Minister Humphreys said: “In 2022, we will continue to roll-out unprecedented levels of investment in Rural Ireland – making our towns and villages even better places to live, work, raise a family and run a business. Today’s announcement is proof of our strong commitment to supporting our rural communities both economically and socially. The projects being invested in represent the huge ambition that underpins ‘Our Rural Future’ and will have a truly transformational impact right across the country. When complete, these projects will leave a lasting difference on these locations for generations to come, benefiting tens of thousands of families in Rural Ireland.”

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Tommy Ryan said the news was “a major boost for Belturbet”.

“This funding will go towards developing a shovel-ready project and a compelling business case to support a future application under the RRDF for the Belturbet Town Regeneration Plan,” Mr Ryan said, “The RRDF provides a clear pathway to bring quality projects from the planning and development phase right through to completion and we have already seen the benefits of this, with the allocation of €3.9 million in RRDF funding to the Virginia Civic Centre, which is currently under construction. Today’s announcement also follows the allocation of €2,211,570 in RRDF funding for landmark regeneration projects in Bailieborough and Ballyconnell in April of last year.”

“I want to acknowledge the efforts of the community in Belturbet who are extremely engaged and passionate about their town and for whom today’s announcement represents fitting reward for years of dedication and commitment. I would like to also acknowledge our elected members whose support has been crucial in ensuring the necessary match funding is available for transformative projects such as this.”

Director of Service for Planning, Community, Tourism, and Economic Development, Brendan Jennings said: “Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the efforts of our staff who worked tirelessly alongside the local community groups and elected representatives to ensure a high-quality application was put forward. I would like to thank Minister Humphreys and her officials for acknowledging the quality of the application through today’s announcement, and I look forward to working with them to bring this exciting project to realisation.”