Southwest Thuringia is a sought-after location for investors from a wide range of industries; its industrial and business parks have high occupancy rates. This fact set the scene this past June for the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new “An der B19” site near Schmalkalden, a site designed to welcome new players from industry and commerce. The event was kicked off by Thuringia’s Minister for Economics Wolfgang Tiefensee, State Secretary for Economics Carsten Feller and Schmalkalden’s Mayor Thomas Kaminski.
The Ministry for Economics is providing 24 million euros in funding; the total cost of the project is 27 million euros. The funds come from the Joint Scheme for Improving the Regional Economic Structure. When completed, the site will cover around 35 hectares and thus offer sufficient space for ten to twelve large companies to build new plants. Companies have already started to signal their interest in locating here; the city is holding talks with prospective occupants. (hw)
