Regeneration and development fund for South Longford town

Ballymahon is in line for a grant of €30,000 to go toward projects that facilitate the regeneration and development of towns to contribute to economic recovery.
Funding under The Town Centre First programme is tasked with creating viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit.
The south Longford town was announced as the County Longford town included in the second series of funding, following in the footsteps of Longford town.

Ballymahon joins 25 other towns announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State for Local Government, Kieran O’Donnell, last Wednesday.
The Town Centre First initiative aims to help areas pursue projects like redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, preserving historical landmarks and boost tourism.
Each town now has a Town Regeneration Officer, whose role it is to implement the plan in collaboration with the community. Ballymahon will receive €30,000 for locally-led projects of their choosing.

John Byrne, Chairperson of Ballymahon Traders' Association, has broadly welcomed The Town Centre First funding announcement.
Traders have been at odds with the local authority about a €3m proposed streetscape overhaul of the south Longford town.
Those plans funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) propose two sets of traffic lights at Nally’s corner and the Athlone junction and upgrading pedestrian and cycling access. Businesses have expressed concerns about the number of parking spaces in the town that will be lost under the development.

Speaking about The Town Centre First allocation Mr Byrne said traders see the possibilities the funding presents.
“This award of €30,000 for town development is very welcome. We're happy to work with the Town Team to work together to develop the core of the town. That's vitally important. We're 100% behind this, it is great news,” Mr Byrne said.
He believes the announcement is an opportunity to bring the parties together: “We're quite happy we will have an input to develop a plan that will work for everyone, including all the stakeholders and community groups,” he added.

PRO of Ballymahon Town Team, Niall Dowler, says the money will be earmarked “for the betterment of the community.”
Mr Dowler acknowledged the need to move forward with the enhancement of Ballymahon town centre: “It's widely recognised that we have suffered from political paralysis in terms of the enhancement of the streetscape and public engagement, for too long we as a town have been sold a pup regarding the continuous promises made by various public figures and local authority representatives.

“This is now a chance to have full transparency over the plans for the town and it is open to all the wider public for their suggestions and input,” he said.
The Government funding for The Town Centre First is secured through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Town Centre First Heritage Revival (THRIVE) Scheme and the Historic Towns Initiative.