29 new jobs for Rural Business Investment Scheme

Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership has awarded funding which will create 29 new jobs in the rural area through the roll out of its second call of the Rural Business Investment Scheme as part of the NI Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

The Rural Business Investment Scheme was the first scheme to open in 2016/17 with grants of £323,000 awarded to nine businesses in September 2016, and the creation of 15.5 jobs. This second call for funding opened last October and grants of over £470,000 have now been awarded to eight projects, creating 29 new jobs in the rural community.

Among those businesses successful in securing funding were the the City of Derry Equestrian Centre at Ardmore £4,992; Ardstraw Quarries at Victoria Bridge £50,000 (2 jobs); Foyle Golf Centre at Culmore £90,000 (5.5 jobs); Greg Mitchell Motors at Victoria Bridge £90,000 (5.5 jobs); Oakfire Adventures in Derry £50,000 (2.5 jobs); Sayers Engineering, Castlederg £90,000 (4 jobs) and Tiny Tots Day Care in Sion Mills, £50,000 (8 jobs).

Acknowledging the investment and the creation of new jobs, the Chair of Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership Cllr Patricia Logue said this was a really good news story for the rural area.

“We are delighted to be in a position to award funding to these local rural businesses and to offer them a chance to improve their services and grow their client base. Availing of this funding has given them a competitive edge in what is a challenging economic climate and we are delighted to be in a position to support the growth of these rural businesses and the creation of new jobs” she said.

Deirdre Harte, Rural Development Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council said the total funding awarded to date through the first two calls of the Rural Business Investment Scheme is now nearly £800,000 with 17 grants supporting the creation of 44.5 new jobs.

“This programme is crucial in giving rural businesses a helping hand to realise their potential and to avail of support and assistance to grow their business, extend their workforce and develop export potential. We are also delighted with the response to our third call under the Scheme following a series of workshops held across the district in April 2017”

The NI Rural Development Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the European Union.

For further information on the Rural Development Programme in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area visit www.derrystrabane.com/rural.