Cork County Council has announced a €6 million support scheme aimed at helping communities and businesses deal with the impact of Covid-19.
23 towns in eight municipal districts in the county are set to benefit from Project "ACT" - or 'Activating County Towns.'
The fund is designed to stimulate and support the local economy in the towns, while also ensuring the safety of the public and business community as Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
The scheme will be used to enhance pedestrian areas and to facilitate physical distancing in public areas.
Funding will provide for deep-cleaning of the main retail and pedestrian areas in the towns, as well as enhancing the overall appearance of the towns by decluttering and painting street furniture, along with the installation of flower displays.
The scheme will also assist businesses requiring socially distanced queueing outside the premises.
Macroom is one of the 23 towns set to benefit from the project. Local Fianna Fáil councillor Gobnait Moynihan says it is essential that people feel safe during the phased return to business.
"Businesses here are going through a very difficult period," she said. "The next few weeks are crucial to their survival."
"It’s vital that people can return to the town and feel they are in a safe environment. We are putting a lot of thought in to how we lay out our streetscape to ensure that social distancing can be achieved. "
While much of the work will be done by council staff, local companies have been contracted to carry out some of the enhancement work in the town.
Garden centre owner Martin O’Mahony says the contract he has secured to provide flower displays in the town is a huge boost for his business.
"We’ve essentially been closed down for the last three months and it’s going to be an extremely short season for us.
"A contract like this is great as it gives us a much-needed injection of cash and it’s good to have a client like the Council is everything is done properly and there are no issues with getting paid. It’s also a great way of advertising on the street, especially when people will see the quality of your work and plants."
Part of the €6m fund will be used to develop festivals and community events in the towns, while supports will also be provided for vulnerable people and the over 70s.
The chief executive of Cork County Council says the scheme will instill confidence in the business community.
"People across Co Cork have shown incredible solidarity in recent weeks. There are many challenges that lie ahead, but by taking this action now and investing in our communities and our businesses, we can plan with a degree of confidence," Tim Lucey
"From making public spaces suitable for social distancing, to supporting businesses through various initiatives, Cork County Council will do everything it can to support the entire community."
