The Ministry of Economic Affairs is promoting further expansion of the Erfurter Kreuz industrial area

The Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs is providing nearly eight million euros in funding for the further expansion of the "Erfurter Kreuz" industrial park. Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Tiefensee symbolically presented the funding approval to the municipality of Wachsenburg today. "With its numerous business establishments and excellent transport connections, the 'Erfurter Kreuz' has become one of the most important industrial parks in Thuringia," said Tiefensee. "This further expansion ensures the development of this large industrial area into a location of supra-regional importance and a highly attractive one for businesses." The total investment for the project amounts to over 9.3 million euros. As part of the project, the municipality of Amt Wachsenburg plans to expand the Erfurter Kreuz with the third construction phase, "Erfurter Kreuz West, southern section," and develop it as commercial space to make it attractive to businesses. This includes, among other things, a road network, drinking water supply, and landscaping. Construction is scheduled to begin in January and be completed by the end of 2018. The city of Arnstadt has already developed 197 hectares of land in the first two construction phases. The project is being funded through the GRW program for the expansion of business-related infrastructure. The Thuringian State Development Corporation (LEG) is developing the site, while EFG GmbH Suhl is responsible for project management. The expansion of the Erfurter Kreuz industrial park is part of the Free State of Thuringia's large-scale development initiative, which encompasses a total of eight locations. By 2030, up to 600 hectares of industrial and commercial space are to be developed at these sites, depending on demand. The subsidized industrial and commercial parks in the Central Thuringia planning region are currently at approximately 80 percent capacity. Via the Erfurt interchange The economic area around the "Erfurter Kreuz" (Erfurt Cross) is of great economic importance to the entire region, with its resident companies and over 9,000 jobs. As Thuringia's largest industrial park, the "Erfurter Kreuz" has developed in recent years into a key location for new businesses and the economic engine of Central Thuringia. Key industries include metal and electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, food processing, and solar technology. The area's growing importance is demonstrated by the establishment of companies such as IHI Charging Systems International GmbH, with a plant for the production of state-of-the-art turbochargers for diesel and gasoline engines; N3 Engine Overhaul Services, with Europe's most modern maintenance facility for aircraft engines; and the Spanish automotive supplier Gonvauto. Press release from the Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Science and Digital Society dated January 13, 2016