Dodds opens doors at Desertmartin business centre

A £400,000 purpose-built business centre in Desertmartin has been officially opened by Nigel Dodds MP MLA, Minister for Social Development, and William McCarter, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland.

Located in a new building called ‘The Loanen’, meaning a lane, the centre is comprised of two shops, four work units and two apartments. The project was jointly funded by the Department for Social Development and the International Fund with support from Magherafelt District Council. It is also part of the Community Regeneration & Improvement Special Programme (CRISP).

Congratulating Desertmartin Community Development Ltd, the group that managed the development, the Minister said: “All of this would not have been possible without two things. One essential is the diligence of the Desertmartin Community Company. I commend William Wallace and all of his colleagues. I never cease to be impressed by the commitment of the community sector all over Northern Ireland.

“The other essential is funding. It is interesting to read that apart from the £330,000 from the Department and the International Fund, Magherafelt District Council increased its support with Leader and Peace monies over and above what was originally proposed. For a Council with a substantial number of CRISP projects within its District, the Department acknowledges that commitment which is vital to the success of these projects.

“I trust that this ‘loanen’ will become a well-travelled path which will assist and promote the well-being of Desertmartin.”

The Community Regeneration & Improvement Special Programme (CRISP) is jointly funded by the Department for Social Development and the IFI under the Disadvantaged Areas Initiative providing funding for community economic development projects in disadvantaged areas.

(MB)