Site Development – One of Last Year’s Successful Calls Announced Again 6 April 2010
The call aimed at developing sites has been repeated within the framework of the Regional Operational Programme of the New Hungary Development Plan. This was one of the most popular calls announced last year.
A framework amounting to nearly 17 billion HUF has currently been allocated for this call affecting all 7 regions, which should imply the implementation of an anticipated 300 new projects.
The site development call announced by the National Development Agency is aimed at upgrading and extending currently operating sites used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), replacing sub-standard sites and facilitating the better exploitation of site capacities with the specific aim of preserving and increasing the competitiveness of SMEs. In addition, this call specifically prioritises preserving and improving employment levels. The call’s indirect objective relates to strengthening SME activities, increasing the equity of small and medium enterprises operating at a regional level and promoting that investments geared towards site development contribute to preserving and increasing employment in the region. In relation to the previous call, the call that has just been announced places stronger emphasis on the creation of new jobs.
Within the framework of this scheme, applicants are eligible to apply for the construction of new buildings used in connection with production and services activities, the transformation and extension of existing buildings, the implementation of necessary building installation systems, as well as the development and upgrading of basic infrastructure. The procurement of equipment required, as well as activities tying in with the elimination of environmental damages are also eligible for funding as complementary activities. Funding ranging between 10 and 100 million HUF may be approved per application.
Despite the economic crisis, applicants showed ongoing keen interest in funding opportunities last year. Applications applying for funding amounting to a total of 40.3 billion HUF were submitted in response to calls originally announced in 7 regions and allocated a funding framework of 17.85 billion HUF. Having increased this funding framework, funding amounting to over a total of 23 billion HUF was awarded, implying 469 projects approved funding, some 18,000 jobs saved and over 2,800 new jobs.