OKEHAMPTON and the neighbouring towns of North Tawton and Chagford are this week celebrating after receiving £81,000 from the South West RDA led Market and Coastal Town initiative.
The cash boost will be used to help people and businesses in the three localities to draw up a community plan to take forward a range of projects designed to breathe new life into the area.
Okehampton area MCTI steering group will now oversee work to draw up the plan.
Mayor of Okehampton Christine Marsh, chairman of the steering group, said: ?I am delighted that we have received this funding from the RDA and wish to congratulate the steering group and local groups for their hard work so far.
?Most towns in the initiative only cover one area, however, Okehampton?s MCTI comprises three towns, namely Okehampton, North Tawton and Chagford, so we?ve had triple the challenge, but so far we have identified £18,000 for quick-win projects such as local youth facilities.?
Among the quick-win projects identified for the North Tawton area are renovation of Sampford Courtenay village hall, improvements to a play area in Spreyton and a design statement for North Tawton. Also identified for North Tawton are a polytunnel to grow plants and assist in horticultural training, and courses offering computer skills training.
Two projects identified for the Chagford and Drewsteignton area are a skateboard park for young people and two new bus shelters.
Quick-win projects to benefit Okehampton will include a youth meeting place in the town, the setting up of a group for parents of children with special educational needs and the promotion of broadband take-up.
Les Roper, community facilitator from the South West RDA?s Devon team, said: ?With the knock-on problems of foot and mouth, Okehampton and its surrounding parishes have faced a number of challenges over the past few years.?
Mr Roper added he was pleased the funding would help the communities come together and ?identify a range of projects designed to make the area an even better place to live and work?.
David Incoll, chief executive of West Devon Borough Council, said: ?We are very pleased to support this initiative and wish it every success.?
Once the community plan is complete, the Okehampton area MCTI steering group can then apply to a variety of organisations to help fund projects identified in the plan.