Official opening of new Mayo enterprise hub in former courthouse

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, visited Balla on Saturday to officially open the town's community enterprise hub and remote working space, funded from his department through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS).

In 2022, Mayo County Council received €120,000 under TVRS for projects in Balla, which included the redevelopment of the vacant courthouse building into a new enterprise hub and remote working space. Partners on the project were Balla Community Resources Development CLG and Mayo County Council.

The investment from the TVRS in the town is consistent with the Our Rural Future and Town Centre First objectives of attracting more people to live, work, invest in and enjoy rural towns.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Calleary said: “It gives me great pleasure to be here in Balla to officially open the community enterprise hub and remote working space.

“This building is etched in history. Once a courthouse, standing as a symbol of justice and public service, it now enters a new chapter where it will serve the public as a place of connection, collaboration and endeavour; giving this historic space a renewed purpose.

“It has been equipped with the tools required to meet the needs of the local community today and into the future.”

The minister added: “My aim is to ensure that the Town and Village Renewal Scheme continues to have a hugely positive impact in supporting sustainable employment creation and town centre resilience and regeneration in Ireland’s rural towns and villages.”

The cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Sean Carey, said: “The community and people of Balla have bought into a vision for a bigger, better and brighter Balla for all, and it is only because of the community working together that things like this can be achieved.

“Balla is leading the way in showcasing how small towns can drive innovation with this new community enterprise hub and remote working space. Not only will it offer Balla a chance to grow and become an exciting place for people to do business, it also rejuvenates the old Balla courthouse, bringing a significant building in the town’s history back to life in an exciting and modern way.”