Leader’s €2m end-of-year boost

The Board of Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) brought plenty of Christmas cheer to community groups and local entrepreneurs by approving almost €2m in Leader grant-aid at their December board meeting. The grant-aid will lever an additional €1m in private funding, bringing a major boost to the local economy as the year draws to an end.
The latest approval brings to almost €5.8m the total Leader grant-aid approved in Clare in 2012.
According to the CEO of CLDC, Doirin Graham, the grant aid will support a range of community projects, including a new purpose built community centre for Lough Graney and the refurbishment of community buildings in Tulla, Cooraclare and Feakle.
“Leader funding will support the development of new astro-turf playing pitches at Kildysart and a new children’s playground at Clarecastle, while a number of smaller community initiatives will also benefit” said Ms Graham.
Several tourism and enterprise projects also received grant support with new businesses being established in Feakle, Clonlara, Lahinch, Kilmurry McMahon, Quin and Whitegate and existing businesses expanding operations at Shannon, Loop Head, Carron, Ennistymon and Quin.
A small number of training projects also received support, as did a local history project for Corofin and a feasibility study on the potential use of Ballinalacken Castle for tourism promotion in North Clare. The CLDC board also approved funding towards the promotion of The Gathering initiative in the county, which has the potential to attract an additional 20,000 visitors to Clare in 2013.
“Next year is the last year of the current Leader programme in terms of project approvals,” added Ms Graham, “and funding would appear to be already expended on capital community projects other than heritage projects.
“We have exceeded the targets, which we set at the beginning of 2012, and with the success of the programme nationally our department is now taking stock of the areas where projects will continue to be accepted in 2013,” she said.
Stephen Walsh, chairman of the board of CLDC, complimented his fellow board members for their commitment to the work of the local development company in 2012. He also paid tribute to the management and staff for their work in successfully rolling out a wide range of programmes to the people of Clare.