Business

£300,000 Glens community project jeopardised 'over failure to release government money'

The proposed digital hub in Cushendall would match the village's undeniable natural beauty with growth and prosperity and enhance its infrastructure
The proposed digital hub in Cushendall would match the village's undeniable natural beauty with growth and prosperity and enhance its infrastructure The proposed digital hub in Cushendall would match the village's undeniable natural beauty with growth and prosperity and enhance its infrastructure

A PROJECT which was set to bring 30 new jobs to the Causeway Coast and Glens is suddenly in jeopardy - because the government money it was promised still hasn't been transferred into its account.

Community interest company 'Grow The Glens' was awarded £300,000 from the Community Partnership Fund last autumn to develop a remote community digital hub in Cushendall's vacant police station.

It was part of £4.9 million pledged for the Borough in Rishi Sunak's December budget via the government's Levelling Up Fund.

Ulster University received almost £3m towards a Drug Discovery Food and Pharmaceutical Innovation Centre while £1.6m was set aside for an extensive development project at Portrush Recreation Grounds.

But while those two projects are already under way, Grow The Glens says continued failures to advance the transfer of property place its entire project, funding and delivery in jeopardy.

The group, formed to build skills, capabilities and facilities in the Glens of Antrim that can capitalise on 21st century economic opportunities, says it has worked over the last four years to secure a commitment to bring up to 30 high-quality jobs to Cushendall through two multinational companies.

The group, a member of Development Trusts NI, was assured the community asset transfer of the disused local PSNI station would be transferred to the community by February past.

But this hasn't happened, leaving the project and its community benefits in uncertain territory - and in a race against time, as funding is time-bound and the £300,000 needs to be spent by the end of 2022.

“This hub will help support 30 jobs and deliver considerable economic impact for the Cushendall and wider Glens area, revitalising footfall, custom generating digital skills, and investment in the area,” Grow the Glens committee member Neil McManus told the Irish News.

And he is now calling for urgent and renewed engagement to advance the project and for government and public agencies to match the urgency of the local community and to fully engage with Grow the Glens to complete the innovative project.

Mr McManus added: “As we approach the midpoint of 2022, there is a growing sense of frustration at the process and lack of joined-up delivery on the remote work hub that will host and create vital new jobs for the Glens area.

“We need to see some urgency injected into this project to help secure the hub, and the jobs it can support. We are calling on the UK government, Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Department for Communities, the PSNI Board, Invest NI, and other local agencies to engage with us as soon as possible, or risk the significant progress made thus far being in vain. We are running out of time.”

He said: “While all political parties have pledged support, this lack of urgency and cohesion has hindered the project, leaving us confused as to how we unlock this significant opportunity.

“Governments have been calling on volunteers to stand up for rural communities, and that’s exactly what we are doing, but this commitment is not being matched by others.

“If we are to foster community wealth building as set out as a key strand of government policy, we need the government to step up and engage in the process. This will enable Grow the Glens to deliver this much needed economic stimulus to the Glens area.”

He added: “We have fulfilled our commitments and have been prepared to finalise the deal to develop the premises and complete the infrastructural requirements for our clients.

“Unfortunately our clients themselves cannot wait much longer for the development of the site to be finalised – putting all those jobs at risk.

“We can’t let these job opportunities slip through our fingers – they are simply far too important.”

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council mayor Richard Holmes said: “The project by Grow the Glens is a considerable step on the path to sustainable development in this rural part of our borough.

“Cushendall is seeking to match its undeniable natural beauty with growth and prosperity, and this community initiative will enhance the village's infrastructure and secure its position as a highly desirable place to live, work, and visit.”