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

With the ceremonial groundbreaking, 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), officially launched construction today on the new, approximately 100-hectare "Goldene Aue" industrial park on the A38 motorway east of Nordhausen. "The availability of developed, contiguous industrial sites is crucial for gaining an edge in the competition for major investments," said Machnig. "I am convinced that the 'Goldene Aue' will provide new impetus for the economic development of the Nordhausen region." The project is part of the "Thuringian Large-Scale Industrial Park Initiative." The total development costs amount to just over 28 million euros. The state is funding the project with approximately 24 million euros from the joint federal and state program "Improvement of Regional Economic Structures" (GRW). Businesses will be able to establish operations there from the end of 2014. The approximately 400-meter by 2,500-meter site can be subdivided into parcels of between 20 and 35 hectares, depending on demand, and offers future users direct access to the motorway. "The industrial park is the most important infrastructure project for our region, as it broadens Nordhausen's economic base and will create new jobs in the region in the long term," emphasized Nordhausen's Mayor, Dr. Klaus Zeh. The cities of Nordhausen and Heringen, along with the municipalities of Urbach and Görsbach, have joined forces to form the "Goldene Aue Industrial Park" planning association. Planning for the industrial park began in the 1990s. By the end of 2014 LEG Thüringen in close coordination with the planning association as the project sponsor, aims to have the site fully developed. The development work includes, among other things, the construction of access roads and the installation of energy and water supply facilities. Ordinance clearance has already been completed. The archaeological investigations on the site will also be finished by the end of the year. LEG Managing Director Andreas Krey explains the tight schedule for developing the "Goldene Aue" industrial park as follows: "Since the expansion of the A38 motorway, we have received an increasing number of inquiries from companies both domestically and internationally regarding modern investment sites along the motorway in North Thuringia." Minister of Economic Affairs Machnig is also convinced of the potential of the Nordhausen region: "The attractive availability of land for industrial projects will encourage investment in North Thuringia and lay the foundation for dynamic economic development," said the Minister. MEDIA INFORMATION from the Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Technology