Title: Thuringia's Industry Secures Continued Funding Support
Staying true to its word, the Economics Ministry in Thuringia, under the leadership of Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee (SPD), has confirmed that they will fully leverage the available Regional Economic Structure (GRW) funding in 2023. This comes after the federal budget freeze was eventually lifted, giving Thuringia access to a total of 120 million euros.
The GRW funding, which is jointly financed by the federal and state governments, had been impacted significantly by the national budget freeze, with an estimated 200 million euros affected nationwide. However, post the freeze, Thuringia will again have the authority to approve state grants totalling around 35 million euros for company investments and enterprise-related infrastructure projects, among others.
According to Tiefensee, despite the freeze, Thuringia had already committed funds for projects worth 85 million euros. The balance of 35 million euros was secured in applications that were pending approval. These applications included funding for eight infrastructure projects worthy of approximately 25 million euros.
Notable projects to gain approval include the development of the Sonneberg-Süd industrial zone, with a grant volume of eight million euros, and the restoration of the "Auf dem Sauborn" industrial site in Marth, Eichsfeld.
The GRW program was initially affected by the budget freeze, but its restoration will undoubtedly bring considerable relief to businesses and projects in the region. Tiefensee acknowledged this, expressing his gratitude for the availability of funding, which he deemed as having come "just in time."
Additional Insights
Although the sources do not specify details about GRW funding restoration for investments related to grid upgrades and renewable energy projects, Thuringia has seen significant investment in related domains. For instance, the distribution grid operator in Thuringia, TEAG, has launched a €600 million program to modernize its regional network, relying on a €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank.
Moreover, Energiequelle GmbH has received contracts for wind farm projects in Thuringia with a combined capacity of 22 MW, expanding their existing portfolio in the region.
These substantial investments have been paramount in supporting the region's transition towards renewable energy sources, although the revival of the GRW funding for similar projects has not been explicitly mentioned in the given sources.
