€50,000 funding for Bunclody/Carrigduff

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REDZ Initiative to Boost Local Economic Development

Following a joint application to the Department of Environment by Wexford County Council and Carlow County Council, the Bunclody / Carrigduff area has been successfully designated a Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) and has been allocated a grant of €50,000 to fund a programme of economic revival in the area.

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.

Development of a speciality food laboratory  

The Carrigduff/Bunclody project application consists of the development of a speciality food laboratory for the production of innovative food products linked to the highly fertile agricultural land in the Blackstairs area. The aim is to support new entrants and existing speciality food producers in the region so that they can increase sales and employment opportunities in this sector. This initiative will also foster closer collaboration between food enterprises and develop synergies with the farming, retail and tourism industry.

Councillor Paddy Kavanagh is Chairman of Enniscorthy Municipal District of Wexford County Council. “I am delighted to welcome Minister Phelan’s announcement of the selection of the Bunclody / Carrigduff area as a REDZ pilot and for the allocation of €50,000 to develop a local speciality food project within the area”said Councillor Kavanagh

Director of Housing and Community at Wexford County Council John Carley praised the local community for their work in producing a successful project application. “This innovative project is a perfect example of an entire community working together to identify and exploit local economic opportunities” said Mr. Carley, adding “I hope that the learning from this pilot will inform thinking across County Wexford as the economy continues to recover” .