Our Rural Future Roadshow: Tánaiste and Minister Humphreys visit County Monaghan to open rural development projects
- New Ballybay Food Hub will provide workspace to local businesses
- Remote working facilities in Castleblayney unveiled
- Multi-million euro regeneration projects being progressed
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, have visited County Monaghan to open rural development projects that help to deliver Our Rural Future.
Our Rural Future is the Government’s rural development strategy, which aims to revitalise towns and villages, promote remote working, and ensure balanced regional development.
The Minister and Tánaiste began their visit with the official opening of the Ballybay Food Hub which has been designed to support Monaghan’s strong food production industry.
The Hub received combined investment of over €400,000, through the LEADER programme and the Regional Enterprise Development Fund.
This funding allowed for the refurbishment of nine industrial units into modern food production facilities.
The facility, which is managed by Enterprising Monaghan, also provides modern office space and meetings rooms.
Speaking at the opening in Ballybay, the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar TD said:
“It’s fantastic to see the food renaissance taking place in County Monaghan, and the entrepreneurial spirit which is driving it. This new Food Hub aims to encourage new entrepreneurs to use food incubation units to get started on the path to success.”
“We look forward to seeing many new start-up food companies joining this sector, which is thriving in Monaghan. As we emerge from the pandemic and into the new normal, good food and the role it plays in our lives is likely have even greater significance than before.”
“This new project shows the potential that food has for job-creation and creativity in rural Ireland.”
Minister Humphreys said:
“Everyone here today knows well that a vibrant and sustainable agri-food sector is central to Ireland’s economic wellbeing, as well as to supporting rural communities.”
“This county has a record of accomplishment in producing a diverse range of product manufacturing, with family and local inputs in the production process.”
“Monaghan is one of Ireland’s leading centres for the production of premium food produce.”
“Monaghan is also home to some of the largest food producers in Ireland, and an astonishing 90% of its production is exported.”
The Minister and the Tánaiste then went on to visit Moffett Automated Storage in Listroar, Clontibret.
This local, family-run, company designs and manufactures fully integrated, automated warehouse storage systems and have recently been awarded LEADER funding to help them expand and grow their business.
The final stop on the itinerary was in Castleblayney where the Minister and Tánaiste opened new remote working facilities at the Community Enterprise Centre.
The centre was one of the first of its kind when it opened in in 1987 and has been a valuable resource to the local community.
The centre was recently awarded over €50,000 through the Connected Hubs Fund, which is administered by Minister Humphrey’s Department.
Speaking at the opening of the new remote working facilities Minister Humphreys said:
“The increased remote working facilities which will now be offered in the enterprise centre will be an invaluable resource for remote workers and the wider community in Castleblayney.”
“It will provide workspaces and meeting facilities – all underpinned by first class connectivity. This hub will enable more people to live and work in the community.”
“It will give people who might have left to pursue careers in our cities the opportunity to come home again and to assist to revitalise the local community.”
The Minister continued:
“The Castleblayney Hub is one of over 150 facilities that have joined the National Connected Hubs Network to date and this number is growing by the week.”
“Anyone can locate, book and pay for access to hubs all over the country by using the connectedhubs.ie platform that I launched earlier this year.”
The Tánaiste said:
“We want remote working to become a permanent choice for employees as we emerge from the pandemic, which has shown thousands of people that there is another way to work.”
“Remote working won’t suit everyone, but it will suit many. It cuts down on commuting, means more time at home or in the community, and can help to increase productivity. It can also be a huge boost for rural towns and villages boosting footfall and local spend.”
“So it’s fantastic to see this expanded remote working facility in Castleblayney.”
While in Castleblayney the Tánaiste and Minister visited the sites of two major regeneration projects in the town which are currently under construction; the new Castleblayney Enterprise Centre and the Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration Project.
These projects are receiving a combined investment of over €5 million through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.