£190k RURAL GRANTS BOOST

Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen handed over official letters confirming the funding while attending the Londonderry and Limavady Show.

A Farlow (Engineering) Ltd in Garvagh has been offered £90,000 towards construction of a new workshop.

An offer of £90,000 has also been made to another Garvagh firm, Currie Engineering Ltd to help purchase specialist equipment.

A third company, Ballymoney-based Agquip Ltd is to receive up to £6,005 for a digital marketing project.

The grants are the first to be handed out under the Rural Business Investment Scheme.

The Minister said: “I am delighted to be handing over the first letters of offer under the Rural Business Investment Scheme to businesses in the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Action Group area.

“There is a wealth of entrepreneurial talent and potential in this area, and indeed across all of our rural communities – these three companies typify these qualities, and I wish them every success as they take their projects forward.

“Around £24million of support will be made available under the Rural Business Investment Scheme to help local businesses in rural areas grow and develop. I look forward to delivering more grants to rural companies around the province under this programme over the coming months.”