A former Christian Brothers School in Athy, County Kildare, is set to be revitalised into a state-of-the-art Centre for Circular Economy and Regenerative Business Activity.

The Saint John's Lane-based facility will benefit from an allocation of €998,802 under the Department of Rural and Community Development's Community Recognition Fund.

The project will transform the historic site into a hub for regenerative business activities by providing support and skills development for businesses committed to sustainability and circular economy principles.

Key objectives of the project include:

• Revitalising a vacant building, reducing dereliction and contributing to the local community's regeneration;

• Supporting local businesses in transitioning to a circular economy;

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• Creating sustainable employment and reduce reliance on external investment for job creation;

• Mitigating climate impacts through responsible business practices;

• Reducing business costs and help foster economic growth.

The centre will also play a key role in providing skills-based training in areas such as recycling, repair, and waste reduction, while generating income through the sale of recycled goods.

The venue will offer affordable rental space to local businesses, including Social Enterprise initiatives that aim to tackle social and economic inequalities.

The facility will cater to a wide range of local enterprises, including projects like Blueway bike maintenance and repair, alongside creating opportunities for shared training spaces and research into new sustainable technologies.

Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council, said: "This funding is a significant milestone for our community. This initiative will not only support local businesses in adopting sustainable practices but also create new opportunities for employment and training, fostering economic resilience and social well-being in our county."

The centre will operate as a social enterprise, creating local employment opportunities and supporting the management and operation of the facility, as well as the delivery of training programs tailored to meet the needs of the community.