The Institute for the Just Transition (ITJ), a body under the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), has granted 17.49 million euro to 130 business projects and small investment projects in municipalities affected by the closure of coal mines in the autonomous communities of Asturias (35%), Castilla y León (28%), Aragón (27%) and Castilla-La Mancha (10%).
The aid, included in the 2019-2027 framework of action for the promotion of mining areas, will channel a total investment of 135.6 million that will boost local productive fabrics and create some 625 jobs.
The definitive resolution of granting the aid has been published today . Its purpose is to alleviate the social and economic consequences of the closure of the mines in the coal mining regions, encouraging employment and promoting the expansion and diversification of the activities of existing companies and supporting the creation of new companies.
The most supported sectors are the manufacturing industry (34%), accommodation and commerce services (24%), health and social services activities (23%) and waste management (8%).
Principality of Asturias
The ITJ has granted aid to a total of 70 initiatives, of which 13 correspond to business projects and 57 to small investment projects. The amount allocated for the aid is 6.16 million, 16% of the investment that will be mobilised, which reaches a total of 37.52 million. In addition, 219 new jobs will be created.
According to the object of the aid, 47% are new activity projects, 24% modernisation and 29% expansion of companies that are already in operation. By activity sectors, 29% (20 projects) belong to the manufacturing industry; 30% (21 projects) to health and social services activities; 17% (12 projects) to accommodation services; 7% (five projects) to trade activities; and 6% (four projects) to waste management activities. The other projects are framed in other types of activities.
Among the supported projects are the start-up again for the manufacture of products for the naval and industrial sectors, a plant for the recycling of plastics and a centre for the elderly in Langreo; the creation of a day centre in San Martín del Rey Aurelio; a tourist accommodation in Salas and the installation of a wood drying and heat treatment plant using a boiler with a renewable source in Tineo.
Castile and Leon
A total of 20 initiatives have received ITJ support, of which six correspond to business projects and 14 to small investment projects. The amount allocated for the aid is 4.93 million, 12% of the investment that will be mobilised, which reaches a total of 42.14 million. In addition, 166 new jobs will be created.
According to the object of the aid, 80% are new activity projects, 5% modernisation and 15% expansion of companies that are already in operation. By activity sectors, 20% (four projects) belong to the manufacturing industry; 35% (seven projects) to health and social services activities; 20% (four projects) to accommodation services; and 10% (two projects) to sports and entertainment activities. The other projects are framed in other types of activities.
The following projects are of special interest: the establishment of a new end-of-life tire recovery plant (NFVU) in the municipality of Guardo (Palencia); the start-up of a centre for social and health care for the elderly in Igüeña (León); the promotion of active tourism activities taking advantage of the natural resources of the Babia region in the municipality of Cabrillanes (León); the installation of two veterinary hospitals in Ponferrada and Villablino (León); and the construction and equipping of an R&D laboratory and manufacture of health and veterinary dermatological products in Matallana de Torío (León).
Aragon
The ITJ has granted aid to 36 initiatives, of which 16 correspond to business projects and 20 to small investment projects. The amount allocated for the aid is 4.70 million, 9% of the investment that will be mobilised, which reaches a total of 49.53 million. In addition, 198 new jobs will be created.
According to the object of the aid, 36% are new activity projects, 33% modernisation and 31% expansion of companies that are already in operation. By activity sectors, 50% (18 projects) belong to the manufacturing industry; 19% (seven projects) to trade activities; 14% (five projects) to waste management activities; and 8% (three projects) to accommodation services. The other projects are framed in other types of activities.
It finances, among others, the installation of a rubber granulate and powder production plant from the recycling of tires at the end of their useful life (NFVU) in the municipality of Hearing (Teruel); the creation of a non-hazardous waste management centre in the municipality of Andorra (Teruel); the construction and equipping of a warehouse for the shelling of nuts in Albalate del Arzobispo (Teruel); the installation of a new plant for obtaining, selecting and packaging seeds in the municipality of Torrente de Cinca (Huesca); the expansion of an oxalic acid factory and its derived salts in the municipality of Alcañiz (Teruel); the installation of a manufacturing plant and research and development of reactors for the inerting of urban solid waste in the municipality of Ariño (Teruel);
Castilla la Mancha
A total of four initiatives are benefited by the ITJ. Two correspond to business projects and another two to small investment projects. The amount allocated for the aid is 1.69 million, 26% of the investment that will be mobilised, which reaches a total of 6.47 million. In addition, 42 new jobs will be created. According to the object of the aid, 75% are new activity projects and 25% are expansion of companies that are already in operation. Of the four projects, two pertain to the manufacturing industry, one to waste management and the other to training activities.
Among the financed projects are the production of meal for animal consumption; the creation of a dog training and training centre for handlers; and the construction and start-up of a plant for the treatment of by-products and waste of animal origin. These three projects will be located in the municipality of Puertollano (Ciudad Real).
