537,000 in funding has been announced for the Counties of Sligo and Leitrim under the Connected Hubs Scheme.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced over €8.8 million in funding which will enable existing hubs and broadband connection points to enhance and add capacity to remote working infrastructure in every region across Ireland.
Grants will also fund measures to assist hubs to deal with COVID related challenges.
Local TD and Minister of State Frank Feighan has welcomed the funding which will benefit projects in Leitrim and Sligo and will support a wide range of relevant works.
214,000 in funding under the Connected Hubs Scheme for Sligo
The successful Sligo projects include the Building Block which receives €75,000 The facility currently has 45 remote working desks available, this project proposes to add 14 more desks and a private office. They will also add disabled toilet facilities and upgrade the current heating system.
Strand Campus is located at Strandhill, Co. Sligo and will receive €16,597 where it operates 24,000 square feet of workspace catering for business involved in services sectors including IT, digital, professional services and sales. It currently has 30 clients on site with over 150 jobs. This funding proposal will see the modernisation of existing hot desks, energy efficient upgrades, and the installation of audio-visual technology.
An Chroi South Sligo Business Campus is the 3rd successful application the funding for this project is requested to add twin privacy booths, a smart card access system, upgrade of sanitary facilities and new flooring. Also included is funding for marketing. Detailed plans for the provision of free or discounted access to the hubs for local community groups and school.
Finally, Ballintogher Hub is allocated €47,200 which will see the upgrade of the existing facilities, including the addition of 15 workstations, broadband upgrade, access control upgrade as well as general improvements to the facility.
€323,000 in funding under the Connected Hubs Scheme for Leitrim
The first application which is allocated €248,368.35 represents a project on behalf of 4 hubs (Mohill Enterprise Centre; Kinlough Hub; The Hive; Ballinamore Enterprise Centre) and 7 BCPs (New Ballagh Centre; Leitrim Gaels Community Facility; Killargue Community Centre; Gortletteragh Community Centre; Aughawillan GAA ClubRooms; Askill Community Centre; Aghanlish Community Centre). The project will enhance the existing facilities at each of the location through the addition of a variety of measures, including increased capacity, providing wheelchair accessible facilities, implementing changes to assist with management of COVID-19 contract tracing or improving security measures.
The second application worth €75,000 that was successful was the W* Hub in Manorhamilton. The funding will add significant additional capacity (140 m2) to the existing facility. This will involve an internal refit, IT systems, energy controls and phone booths.
