Extra funding of €680,000 for An Chistín Food Centre project at Castlerea Enterprise Hub, announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys this week, has been warmly welcomed by local public representatives in the area.
The funding will see further investment in the development of food business incubation units at the facility.
Fianna Fáil councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice said the funding would hopefully create much-needed employment in west Roscommon.
“As Vice-Chairman of Enterprise Castlerea, I am delighted with the news,” Cllr. Fitzmaurice said.
“I want to thank Roscommon County Council and the Government for their work and input into this exciting project. I have had many meetings on this project over the past year and it is great it has been given the green light”.
Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy said: “This is very welcome news for the Castlerea Enterprise Hub/An Chistín Food Centre and this extra funding will now hopefully enable getting this project over the line as quickly as possible. It’s further evidence of this Government’s support of job creation in Roscommon,” he said.
Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan said the funding was in addition to the €1.5 million announced in 2019.
“I’d like to thank the Enterprise Castlerea team, who have worked so hard to deliver this project for the entrepreneurs and local producers in Castlerea,” she said.
“Food incubator units can provide intensive business development support, below market rental space, and access to shared specialised equipment and processing facilities to accelerate the development of small businesses and increase the chance of business success. This funding will support food start-ups in Castlerea and give space to innovate and create new product ideas”.
