Council welcomes €100,000 investment in Countywide Tourism Projects under Redz Project

Council welcomes €100,000 investment in Countywide Tourism Projects under Redz Project

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Digital Towns, Marketing of Big Houses, Development of River Enterprises & Re-Development of the Garden Trail are all part of a new project spearheaded by Carlow County Council which has been awarded €100,000 in funding as part of Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) in partnership with Carlow Tourism.

Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) acknowledge the historically strong economic relationships between rural towns and their surrounding hinterlands. The REDZ initiative supports communities to avail of opportunities to help themselves and their local areas, using a community led approach to foster rural development and generate economic growth. 

REDZ acknowledges that rural communities know best what they require to boost economic growth within their own areas and this national pilot funding programme provides resources to a number of communities throughout Ireland to further the economic development of their respective areas. 

Welcoming the funding , Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council & Chairperson of Carlow Tourism said , Cllr John Murphy said "This funding is very welcome and It will allow Carlow County Council to progress ahead with its plans for the development of its tourism product as part of Ireland’s  Ancient East which has the potential to significantly increase tourism in County Carlow”.

Speaking about the project, Dan Mc Inerney – Deputy Chief Executive of Carlow County Council said “This innovative project is a perfect example of an entire community working together with Carlow County Council and agencies to identify and exploit local economic opportunities and attract funding to make output focused projects happen”.

The project will be rolled by the Council’s Economic Development Team in partnership with Carlow Tourism and a variety of commercial, community and volunteer partners. Speaking about the project, Kieran Comerford, Head of Enterprise with Carlow County Council’s – Local Enterprise Office said “this project was designed following a consultation process with communities and the elected members and dovetails the recent Towns & Villages funding”. Comerford continued to say that “it partnered with the Towns & Villages funding will mean over half a million euros will now be invested in Rural Economic Development across County Carlow” , Comerford outlined that “this project builds on the learning from the South Carlow Adventures Project which was undertaken in 2015 under Redz and builds a countywide toolkit designed to embrace communities , commercial partners , groups and organisations” , Comerford concluded by saying “We look forward to rolling out these projects during 2017 as part of our overall economic development support programme which is designed to foster an enterprise culture while supporting the development of county Carlow from a commercial and economic viewpoint”