Five Mayo projects to benefit from €8.8m. allocated for connected hub projects

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has announced over €8.8 million in nationwide funding under the Connected Hubs Scheme – a key deliverable of 'Our Rural Future'.

The funding 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.

This funding, Mayo TD Alan Dillon outlined, will benefit five projects in Mayo and will support a wide range of relevant works, including the expansion of existing hubs, installation of privacy booths, access control and security systems, the conversion of existing open plan space to modular offices, and provision of enhanced audio visual, networking and conferencing facilities.

The following hubs in Mayo, with an overall investment of €337,142, were selected:

•Cairn Enterprise Hub, Kiltimagh: €75,000.00

•Leeson Enterprise Centre, Westport: €16,434.00

•Mayo County Council: €195,475

•The Courthouse, Swinford: €18,000

•Knockmore Resource Centre: €32,233.36

This investment will support the ongoing development of the recently launched National Hub Network - connectedhubs.ie - which already has more than 100 hubs using the platform and 380 hubs mapped.

The supports delivered through this network will help build on the fantastic asset Ireland already has in its connected working ecosystem.

Included in the funding announced by the Minister is:

•€2.8m to develop remote working infrastructure in the Eastern and Midland region.

•€3m to develop remote working infrastructure in the North-West region.

•€3m to develop remote working infrastructure in the Southern region.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Dara Calleary stated: “Connected Hubs are a key component of the government’s Our Rural Future Policy and I am very pleased that Mayo has been well represented in this round of funding.

"In terms of local development and prosperity, Connected Hubs are the way forward and will allow for a greater number of people to stay ay home or to return home – all which has a very positive affect of the social and economic fabric of our local rural areas."

Deputy Michael Ring said: “This funding will enable existing hubs and broadband connection points to enhance and add capacity to remote working infrastructure.

“The grants will also fund measures to assist hubs to deal with Covid related challenges."