Aschersleben. Halle and Magdeburg on the front cover, the Salzlandkreis district on the spine – District Administrator Markus Bauer used this metaphor at the joint New Year's reception of the Salzlandsparkasse and Salzlandkreis district on Friday evening at the Ballhaus in Aschersleben to explain the significance of the region – both for the state and for the people who live here. His message: in the golden middle between Saxony-Anhalt's two largest cities, we not only stick together, we also write our own success stories – economically and socially. "Everyone is one of the authors of this book we have written ourselves: made in Salzlandkreis!" We can therefore be proud of the region's development since 1990 – despite all the challenges we face! Anyone who fails to recognise this is failing to recognise reality.
With these words, the district administrator opened the New Year's reception, to which many of these successful authors were invited to celebrate the New Year together under the motto "Achievements, aspirations, dreams" and which is one of the most important events in the Salzland district. Representatives from aid organisations as well as entrepreneurs, politicians, representatives from the fields of education and culture and club representatives attended. Markus Bauer thanked them all for their commitment to society. At the same time, he looked back once again: the district administrator referred to those who became self-employed after 1990, set up companies and thus took on responsibility. "That was and is a huge achievement for the region - the basis for our development." He also emphasised those who have since handed over the companies to a new generation, as well as those who have recently settled in the Salzland district and thus invested in the region. "All of these are success stories and the reason why we can actually speak of flourishing landscapes."
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz, Managing Director of Schönebeck-based ambulance manufacturer Ambulanz Mobile GmbH & Co. KG, one of these many top performers from the Salzland district described his very personal story on stage. A story that began in the early 1990s in a four-man business to escape unemployment, as he said. And which developed into a real bestseller over the years - the number of employees increased, as did the sales figures. The company is now the market leader and exports vehicles specially customised to the needs of its customers - as far away as New Zealand! The company is also involved in many charitable endeavours in the Salzland district. With this example in mind, District Administrator Markus Bauer wanted all products from the Salzland district to be labelled "made in Salzlandkreis" in future to show the world what the region stands for: cohesion, courage and commitment!
In his New Year's speech, Markus Bauer also emphasised that, on the basis of the Salzlandkreis 2030 future strategy, work would continue to develop the region into an attractive residential, business and scientific location. The aim must be to offer families in particular the conditions they need to feel at home, based on modern schools and local amenities. Ultimately, this will also encourage people to get involved in the Salzland district. Economically, but also in voluntary work, which deserves every support because it brings people together. "This task will never be finished." In this context, the district administrator referred to the commitment of the district administration. In recent years, at least 65 million euros have been invested in schools, roads, tourism infrastructure and other public buildings. In the coming years, further millions of euros in funding will be available for local authorities to develop the region.
The CEO of Salzlandsparkasse, Hans-Michael Strube, recalled his New Year's speech in 2025, in which he once again expressed his wish that people would appreciate more the things that have been achieved instead of just complaining all the time. The Salzland district is really beautiful because so many people make it more valuable every day with their economic and social commitment. Unfortunately, however, the impression that the opposite is the case arises far too often. He called for more focus to be placed on the things that are really important in the current year. After all, everyone only has a limited amount of time at their disposal. Salzlandsparkasse supports both companies and people who are involved in voluntary work. At the New Year's reception, the Lyrachor Aschersleben association, the dance department of the Aktivleben association, the Katharinenschule Schneidlingen support association and the Schöpfrad association each received 1,000 euros. These came from the entrance fees paid by guests at the New Year's reception. The Lyrachor opened the event with music.
In addition to the two New Year's speeches, Prof. Dr Thomas Brockmeier, Managing Director of the Halle-Dessau Chamber of Industry and Commerce, gave a keynote speech on economic interrelationships as this year's guest of honour. In addition, Hans-Jürgen Schwarz, Dr Otto Drosihin, Managing Director of mediaprint solutions GmbH Paderborn, which also owns Grafisches Centrum Cuno in Calbe, Michael Haßkerl, Member of the Board of Salzlandsparkasse, and Prof. Dr Thomas Brockmeier discussed the economic situation in Germany. They all expressed the wish that "entrepreneurs should be allowed to be more entrepreneurs again".