Longford County Council has announced that Ballymahon is among the next 26 towns across Ireland to receive funding for the development of a Town Centre First plan.

Ballymahon will be part of the second phase of the multi-million euro government initiative. The news comes after the development of the 'Longford Town Centre First' plan under the first phase, which is nearing completion.

The Longford Town Team along with the Longford Town Regeneration Officer as part of Longford County Council, responsible for developing the Longford 'Town Centre First' plan, was recognised recently at an event held in Limerick, attended by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O'Donnell. During this event, phase two of the initiative was announced and the 26 towns and communities moving forward with their plans were recognised by the Longford Town Regeneration Officer, Lorraine O'Connor.

The plans, created with input from local communities, reflect the desires of the people for their area. They include ideas like revamping abandoned areas, building parks and paths for the community, supporting small businesses and tourism, and preserving historical sites.

The new Town Regeneration Officers have been appointed in every Local Authority to drive implementation of the new plans with the support of Government funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Town Centre First Heritage Revival (THRIVE) Scheme and the Historic Towns Initiative.

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Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, said: "Communities are at the heart of rural Ireland. Town Centre First is all about empowering people to develop a vision for their town that can make it a better place to live, work, invest in and enjoy. These Plans and the new Town Regeneration Officers are about ensuring there is a strategic and coherent approach at the local level to tackling vacancy and dereliction in our towns and villages.

"Government is firmly committed to strategic projects that will transform rural Ireland such as under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and we are already seeing the hugely positive impacts of investment right across County Longford.

"I am pleased to also announce the next 26 successful towns across the country who we will support with funding of €30,000 each to complete a comprehensive town plan to help develop their town centres."

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O'Donnell, said: "It is a pleasure to launch the inaugural Town Centre First Plans today here in Limerick. This Government has committed to multi-billion euro investment in regenerating and revitalising towns and urban centres across Ireland. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is supporting the delivery of the Town Centre First policy approach through major funding schemes such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Croí Cónaithe Fund and Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the ERDF-supported THRIVE Fund.

"The Town Centre First approach empowers local communities and businesses, supported by Local Authorities, to guide and direct investment to maximise the particular strengths and assets of their town.

"In a joint initiative, my Department along with DRCD has established a National Town Centre First Office, within the LGMA, to support the delivery of the policy.

"I also wish to congratulate and commend all the local communities and Town Teams for their dedicated work in designing these exciting Town Centre First plans – I look forward to seeing them fully implemented in the time ahead."