Ballyhaunis will benefit from a fund of €100,000 to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts. The funding is being allocated to Mayo County Council under the Streetscape Enhancement.
Retailers and property owners will be provided with grants that they can use to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.
The overall purpose of the Scheme is to give towns and villages a facelift and make them more attractive places to live, work or visit.
Fianna Fáil TD, Dara Calleary welcomed the news saying: "This is very welcomed news for Ballyhaunis Town and for the shop and property owners. It will provide a unique opportunity to enhance the centre of the town, to bring colour and vibrancy into the streetscape and generally increase the shopping and dining experiences that Ballyhaunis has to offer.
"I want to compliment Mayo County Council and Ballyhaunis Chamber of Commerce for their input into this initiative – I am delighted to have been able to assist in the process and to see the application reach fruition with this investment announcement."
Fine Gael TD, Alan Dillon said: "Ensuring our towns are vibrant places to live and work is needed as we recover economically post-pandemic. Streetscapes offers businesses a new lease of life and the opportunity to get creative. Our local authority will manage the initiative and will begin advertising for applications in the coming weeks."
His party colleague, Michael Ring TD added: "I would urge businesses, property owners and retailers in Ballyhaunis to apply to Mayo County Council to avail of funding under this excellent initiative."
The types of projects that could be supported include: (1 ) Strategic collaboration between property owners to paint buildings and/or shopfronts in vibrant colours, (2 ) Upgrade or restoration of historic / traditional shopfronts, (3 ) Provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flowers boxes, (4 ) Installation of canopies and (5 ) Murals/public artwork.
Minister Heather Humphreys added: 'I want as many businesses and property owners to get involved over the next few weeks and to avail of this funding. You may wish to give the front of your shop a new lease of life and repaint it in bright, vibrant colours.
"Perhaps you want to cover your window sills with flowers and plants or purchase street furniture, canopies for your customers to enjoy. Or maybe you have an even bolder idea. This time round, I’m encouraging neighbouring businesses to submit a joint application to their local authority if they have a more ambitious proposal."
