Kinlough
Earlier this month, Ireland’s Foreign Direct Investment Agency (IDA) presented to Leitrim County Council during a council meeting.
At this meeting, the Council learned that there was no expectation of economic development outside of Carrick-on-Shannon.
Cllr Justin Warnock expressed his disappointment at the Manorhamilton municipal district meeting and said that north Leitrim is being abandoned.
He proposed a motion asking the Director of Services for Economic Development to immediately work with Enterprise Ireland and Western Development Commission to develop a strategy for securing investment to buy and build infrastructure on lands zoned for Economic Development in Tullaghan and Kinlough.
“Kinlough has developed over 25 years from 285 people to over 1,200, and not one bit of infrastructure has been put in that meets the needs of our growing town.
“There’s been no investment whatsoever. We’ve missed out on opportunities. I think Leitrim County Council needs to sit down and get somebody in because if you build the infrastructure, people will come.
“We have missed out badly as a border county since the Troubles. When you look at the money that’s been spent in Garrison, Belcoo and Belleek - all those are thriving communities.
“We have been abandoned. People need to realise that we need investment. We owe it to the young people that there’s going to be an opportunity for them to come back,” Cllr Warnock remarked.
Cllr Felim Gurn seconded the motion.
A reply from the Economic Development stated that through engagement with Enterprise Ireland and the Western Development Commission, Leitrim County Council is unaware of funding streams for land purchase or infrastructural provision under the remit of.
The reply went on to explain that other towns in Leitrim of similar size to Kinlough and Tullaghan, the best approach for creating enterprise space and infrastructure is through community led social enterprise initiatives.
Leitrim County Council can support these efforts by helping to build a strong business case and securing funding from schemes such as LEADER, RRDF and Town and Village.
The Economic Development section and Local Enterprise Office can assist with any such proposals.
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