Seward unveils Irish Centre grant
Award to move construction forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EAST DURHAM, 3/13/03 -- Senator James L. Seward today announced a $100,000
state award for the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre to be
used for construction of the first structure in the Centre's Irish village.
Seward unveiled the award at a press conference in East Durham today.
"The Irish village has tremendous possibilities for generating a significant
economic development impact on the local economy," Senator Seward said. "It
has immediate attractiveness as a tourism destination for both Americans and
foreigners. I think it's an exciting concept that in the fullness of time will
be an asset to the area even as it honors the Irish roots of so many in this
area."
The Irish village will be a depiction of a town in Ireland in the late 1800s
or early 20th Century. Its first structure will be the Laverty Cottage, built
in Donegal, Ireland in the late 1800s. It was donated to the Centre and in
2002 was dismantled and shipped to East Durham. The Centre will also include
a 9-11 World Trade Center Memorial. Once the structures are up, the Centre
will begin attracting visitors to the village. Officials estimate that the
entire project, once complete, will provide 75 new jobs.
"Even prior to redistricting, Senator Seward has always demonstrated
an interest in the Centre and its economic benefit to the area," said
Ken Dudley, president of the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural Centre. "We're
pleased that he sees the potential in the Centre as one of the larger economic
stimulus projects in
the county, and we are all grateful for his
support of other economic development programs in Greene County."
"I think this is another example of Greene County laying a foundation
for the future growth of the area," Seward said.
The money is from the state's 2002 capital budget. Seward set the funds aside
last year in order to have assistance available for localities during a time
of lean state budgets.
CONTACT:
DUNCAN S. DAVIE
Web: www.senatorjimseward.com
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