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SOAR (Southern Organisation for Action in Rural areas) has now awarded over £11.5 million to farming businesses, organisations and communities across Armagh, Craigavon and Newry & Mourne District Council areas.
SOAR supports the rural economy and improves the quality of life of those people that work and live there by increasing employment, attracting visitors to come visit the many and varied natural resources, developing the rural infrastructure for community services and increasing the income of rural communities.
Measure 3.1 Farm Diversification and Measure 3.5 Village Renewal and Development are now open for applications until Thursday 28th March 2013 at 4pm. The below 4 “drop-in” workshops are taking place in the Newry and Mourne area to assist and advise those interested in making a funding application to SOAR under the 2 open measures:
Tuesday 19th Feb - Ti Chulainn Centre, Mullaghbawn, 6pm - 8pm
Thursday 21st Feb - Downshire Arms Hotel, Hilltown, 6pm - 8pm
Tuesday 5th March - Kilmorey Arms Hotel, Kilkeel, 6pm - 8pm
Thursday 7th March, Crossmaglen Community Centre, 6pm - 8pm
The aim of Measure 3.1 is to provide support for farmers and members of their families to diversify into non-agricultural activities in order to generate additional income, increase the sustainability of the farm business and create additional employment. Cllr John McArdle, Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council has said “I would encouraged anyone interested in finding out more on the SOAR programme to attend one of these events, and explore the potential of how SOAR could provide grant aid support to your farm diversification business”
A successful project funded under Measure 3.1 is Quinn Coaches. The Quinn family have been long-term farmers, and in order to support the family farm income they have established a coach business. Mr Conleth Quinn applied to SOAR for funding towards the development of their onsite facilities, including the creation of a dedicated area for coach washing, and the purchase of coach washing facilities. He was awarded £42,605 from
SOAR to provide adequate onsite coach parking and wash facilities and to improve the quality of their service.
Cllr Sean O’Hare, chairman of the SOAR JCC, said “SOAR is on hand to deliver grant aid on behalf of the Rural Development Programme, throughout the rural communities of Newry and Mourne, Armagh and Craigavon Council areas. There are offices in Craigavon Borough Council Civic Centre, Armagh City and District Council and Newry and Mourne District Council area to make it is easy for you to meet with our staff to talk through your project ideas and discuss what the process will involve”
A total of 75 farm diversification projects have been awarded funding to date and almost £2million has been committed under this measure.
Commenting on Quinn Coaches successful application Miceal McCoy Chairperson of SOAR’s Local Action Group stated “I would like to congratulate Mr Quinn on his successful farm diversification business. This is an excellent example of a farming family gaining the necessary financial assistance from SOAR. As Chair of the Local Action Group I wish Mr Quinn the very best in the future development of his business”
Led by Craigavon Borough Council, Armagh City & District Council and Newry & Mourne District Council, SOAR delivers funding from the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to projects relating to farm diversification, growing rural businesses, encouraging tourism, developing new rural community services and telling the cultural heritage story
If you are interested in receiving an information pack, please contact the SOAR central office on 028 3831 2573, visit our website www.soarni.org for more information or follow us on Facebook. You can also contact your local SOAR Office in Warrenpoint: 028 4177 4381 or Crossmaglen 3086 8900 or e-mail newry@soarni.org
