Causeway Coast & Glens Local Action Group Welcomes Applications for Funding to the Rural Business Investment Scheme

Tue, June 28, 2016

Causeway Coast & Glens Local Action Group Welcomes Applications for Funding to the Rural Business Investment Scheme

DAERA Minister, Michelle McIlveen with Chair, Patsy Bradley, Vice-Chair, Alderman William King and Board members of Causeway Coast and Glens Local Action Group.

Causeway Coast & Glens Local Action Group, who deliver the LEADER element of the new Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, has recently closed its first call for applications to the Rural Business Investment Scheme. The group are now in the process of assessing these applications and aim to release funding to the micro and small business sector within the rural Borough in the coming months.

The programme which is part financed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, will bring £7.87million of funding to projects within rural areas of the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough.

Patsy Bradley, Chair of Causeway Coast and Glens LAG said, "As Chair of the Local Action Group I am very pleased that we have started the roll-out of our programme. It is great to see the programme getting off the ground and hopefully money will soon be making a difference in our rural area. The programme will most certainly be a benefit to both rural businesses and rural community groups over the next few years."

On a recent visit to the Borough, Michelle McIlveen, Minister for DAERA, met with Causeway Coast and Glens Board members and commented, “It was great to get a chance to meet with the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Action Group and see for myself the hard work that has gone into this first call for applications. It is also encouraging to see the potential for job creation within the applications that have been received. The creation of these jobs will go a long way to help improve employment prospects in this rural area."

For more information on the Programme and roll out of each of the Schemes visit www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/work/rural-development.

ENDS