Construction work for the "Goldene Aue" industrial area has started

With the first groundbreaking ceremony, Thuringia's Minister of Economic Affairs Matthias Machnig, together with Nordhausen's Mayor Dr. Klaus Zeh, District Administrator Birgit Keller, and Andreas Krey, Managing Director of the Thuringian State Development Corporation (LEG Thüringen), launched the construction work for the new, approximately 100-hectare industrial area "Goldene Aue" on the A38 east of Nordhausen. "The availability of developed, contiguous industrial sites is crucial in order to score points in the competition for major investments," said Machnig. "I am convinced: The 'Goldene Aue' will set new impulses for the economic development of the Nordhausen region." The project is part of the "Thuringian Large-Scale Area Initiative." The total development costs amount to just over 28 million euros. The state is funding the project with around 24 million euros from the Joint Task "Improvement of Regional Economic Structure" (GRW). The settlement of companies will be possible from the end of 2014. The approximately 400 meters by 2,500 meters area can be parceled into sub-areas between 20 and 35 hectares depending on demand and offers future users a direct motorway connection. "The industrial area is the most important infrastructure measure for our region, because it broadens Nordhausen's economic foundation and ensures new jobs in the region in the long term," emphasized Nordhausen's Mayor Dr. Klaus Zeh. The cities of Nordhausen and Heringen, together with the municipalities of Urbach and Görsbach, have formed a planning association "Industrial Area Goldene Aue." Planning for the industrial area began as early as the 1990s. By the end of 2014, the LEG Thüringen , in close coordination with the planning association as the project sponsor, aims to have the area fully developed. The development work includes, among other things, the construction of access roads and the installation of energy and water supply systems. Clearance of munitions has already been carried out. By the end of the year, archaeological investigations in the area will also be completed. LEG Managing Director Andreas Krey justifies the tight schedule for the development of the "Goldene Aue" industrial area as follows: "Since the expansion of the A38, we have been receiving increasing inquiries from domestic and foreign companies for modern investment sites along the motorway in northern Thuringia." Economic Affairs Minister Machnig is also convinced of the potential of the Nordhausen region: "The attractive range of sites for industrial projects will encourage investments in northern Thuringia and lay the foundation for dynamic economic development," said the minister. PRESS RELEASE of the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Technology