Bernburg. Over the next ten years, 57 million euros will be invested in the infrastructure of the Salzlandkreis alone! In addition, thanks to the special infrastructure fund made available by the federal government, a further 74 million euros will be allocated to all towns and municipalities in the region. This will enable infrastructure projects in the Salzlandkreis to be carried out over the coming years, totalling 131 million euros.
District Administrator Markus Bauer says: "Together with the mayors as municipal representatives, we district administrators have fought for a long time to maintain this trust."
He says: "Thanks to the support of the federal government, a lot of money is flowing into our region. Money that is important for the development of the Salzland district as an attractive location for living, business and science." The district administrator emphasises that, together with the political representatives in the district council, they will now prove that the lump-sum funding actually promises a return on investment for society by leading to improvements in the immediate living environment. "Thanks to the funding, we will be able to outline even better how we want to live in the future and how we can establish ourselves as a hinge between Halle and Magdeburg."
Markus Bauer is convinced that the Salzland district will master the associated tasks well together with the district council. "We are prepared! Because we have an excellent basis with our Salzlandkreis 2030 future strategy, which was adopted by the district council five years ago. We have already set priorities in terms of content. We also know where there is an investment backlog. We can build on this in the necessary political debate!" He also points to the Salzland district's successful budget consolidation. "That's why we have the financial capacity to act."
The district administrator also explains: "We will use our expertise and manpower to utilise the funds efficiently. After the many projects in recent years, we have the necessary project management expertise in the district administration!" This includes the nationwide broadband expansion as well as the "IT macht Schule" project, which set standards throughout the country. In the view of the district administration, however, there must first be a fundamental debate on the use of the flat-rate funds available in order to be able to draw up proposals for corresponding priority lists at a later date. The first funds will not be available until next year at the earliest. This is subject to resolutions being passed by the German Bundestag and the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt.
At the same time, Markus Bauer explains: “It’s not a case of first come, first served for individual projects. On the contrary: it’s important that the projects promise a certain return for the region in the long term and build on one another.” The focus must therefore always be on the Salzlandkreis as an attractive place to live, do business and pursue academic research. “We must support families! When children attend our nurseries and schools, then complete their education here in the region and take up a profession, this is not merely economic development in the purest sense, because they are the much-needed workforce. We also strengthen society through voluntary work – because different generations can get involved in local clubs and societies. All of this forms the basis for sustainable growth in the Salzlandkreis!” Linked to this, in turn, are reliable conditions for businesses, which form the backbone of local authority budgets in terms of trade tax and income tax revenue. The District Administrator also points out that the projects provide a boost to local firms.
Under an agreement between the state government and the Association of District Councils, the Salzlandkreis will receive a total of around 57 million euros over the next ten years. However, this lump-sum amount is not set in stone, as there is a specific provision to increase the total through additional funding or the district’s own resources. The Salzlandkreis District Council will decide on individual projects relating to the district’s infrastructure. This generally includes district roads, school and sports facilities, civil protection facilities, and technical equipment for the digitalisation of administrative procedures. According to the district administration’s assessment, given the available capacity, it is realistic to expect that around 5.7 million euros can be invested in individual or various projects each year. Decisions on projects in the towns and municipalities, however, are the responsibility of the respective town and municipal councils. In total, the state receives 2.6 billion euros, with 60 per cent of the sum going directly to the local authorities for infrastructure projects. In determining the regional distribution, the state government takes into account both the population and the size of the area. The Salzlandkreis thus receives a comparatively high sum.