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06/02/2015
SOAR Delivers £12m To Rural Economy
An initiative to boost the rural economy in Counties Armagh and Down has delivered £12m on local projects, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas (SOAR) is the delivery agent for the Rural Development Programme within the Armagh, Craigavon and Newry and Mourne Council areas.
Rural Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "It is encouraging to see the vast, and very diverse, range of projects which have been delivered by SOAR. In total, 267 projects have benefited from Axis 3 monies, with over 200 new rural jobs being created.
"Job creation is a key focus for SOAR and this figure will continue to rise as projects complete. This is a fantastic achievement. These new jobs offer a real opportunity to grow our rural economy and will help make the SOAR area a more attractive and prosperous place to live, work and invest.
"Our rural tourism sector has also been boosted by the various initiatives supported under the tourism measure, with over 130,000 additional tourist visits recorded in the same rural area over the course of the programme.
"Our rural villages have been revitalised, rural businesses have had the opportunity to grow, communities have gained from improved rural services, and farmers have taken the opportunity to diversify."
(IT/JP)
Southern Organisation for Action in Rural Areas (SOAR) is the delivery agent for the Rural Development Programme within the Armagh, Craigavon and Newry and Mourne Council areas.
Rural Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "It is encouraging to see the vast, and very diverse, range of projects which have been delivered by SOAR. In total, 267 projects have benefited from Axis 3 monies, with over 200 new rural jobs being created.
"Job creation is a key focus for SOAR and this figure will continue to rise as projects complete. This is a fantastic achievement. These new jobs offer a real opportunity to grow our rural economy and will help make the SOAR area a more attractive and prosperous place to live, work and invest.
"Our rural tourism sector has also been boosted by the various initiatives supported under the tourism measure, with over 130,000 additional tourist visits recorded in the same rural area over the course of the programme.
"Our rural villages have been revitalised, rural businesses have had the opportunity to grow, communities have gained from improved rural services, and farmers have taken the opportunity to diversify."
(IT/JP)
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