- Fernis in location policy for some rethinking in municipalities
**For further success in settling new businesses in Rhineland-Palatinate, according to FDP faction leader Philipp Fernis, a reduction in bureaucracy and responsible local action is necessary. Crucial is whether land is available for companies, he said to the German Press Agency in Mainz. "Here, the municipalities are in a high responsibility." Sometimes, a different mindset is required.
Communal committees still decide against the creation of industrial areas. "Yes, that may mean additional traffic," said Fernis. Industrial buildings are not always beautiful. "Only the future is made from the economy, that is the backbone. That is something that one can remind the locals of, that this is not just a topic for parliamentary speeches, but a topic that must be taken up in concrete terms in local responsibility."
From Eli Lilly to Abbvie
Recently, the decision of the US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to build a new production site in Alzey for around 2.3 billion euros has caused nationwide attention. By 2027, the US pharmaceutical company Abbvie, which is already established in Ludwigshafen, wants to put a new research and development building in the second largest city of Rhineland-Palatinate into operation, costing around 150 million euros. Furthermore, a large data center could be created in the Rheinhessen Nierstein in the coming years, which is at least planned by the Japanese telecommunications company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT).
The planning authority for industrial areas lies on the local level, said Fernis. The state must support it. "The topic of areas will be taken up again, because it is of central importance," said the liberal with a view to the remaining tasks of the traffic light coalition for the rest of the legislative period. The benchmark, i.e. the standard by which municipalities should be measured, should be how it went in Alzey with Eli Lilly. There, after the start of talks, the groundbreaking for the new location was possible within a year.
Schweitzer sees speed advantage through short communication paths
"Reducing bureaucracy remains a central task," said Fernis. "That's always a tough nut to crack, because no official has ever sat down and said, 'Let's annoy the companies.'" Behind every bureaucracy is an honorable goal. New technologies could help make bureaucracy manageable for all parties involved. "The chances of simplifying things with AI without lowering standards are huge," said Fernis. "We should and must use them."
Rhineland-Palatinate can score points in the competition with other locations by having manageable communication paths, according to the new Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer. "What is praised by economic decision-makers across the board is that we are a land of short distances," said the social democrat to the German Press Agency in Mainz. "That we are a land where one can quickly come to the table." Thus, settlements or an expansion of a location can be organized and implemented comparatively quickly.
"That we have recently had settlement successes has something to do with the fact that one can very quickly come to the table with responsible parties in Rhineland-Palatinate, which is an advantage for decision-makers in large companies, especially international corporations." For this, it counts how quickly plans can be realized and how quickly investments flow back into one's own cash register. "We are obviously a location that has a good reputation," he said with a view to the recent successes.
Eli Lilly's decision to establish a new production site in Alzey, costing around 2.3 billion euros, has been a notable example of successful industrial development in Rhineland-Palatinate. To encourage more companies like Eli Lilly to invest in the region, it's crucial for municipalities to streamline their processes and take proactive steps in the planning and development of industrial areas.
Furthermore, the upcoming operation of a new research and development building by Abbvie in Ludwigshafen, along with potential plans for a large data center by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone in Nierstein, highlights the potential for continued growth and investment in Rhineland-Palatinate's industrial sector.
