Investments in Lower Austria: A ray of hope in dark times!

Investments in Lower Austria: A ray of hope in dark times!

In a recent press conference in Tulln on February 24, 2025, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner reported on significant progress in the Lower Austrian work program, which was initiated over 700 days ago. Together with the state representative Udo Landbauer, they informed about the results of the most recent government meeting in the “House of Digitalization”. Mikl-Leitner announced that 45 percent of the agreed measures have already been implemented and a further 40 percent are in the pipeline. The most important points include the introduction of a 1,000 euro care check and the expansion of childcare to meet the needs of our compatriots. The action plan against radical Islam has become particularly urgent due to recent incidents, with Mikl-Leitner emphasizing that the State Security Council will begin work in early March to ensure security.

Reforms to support the economy

A central topic of the retreat was the economic situation in Lower Austria, which is characterized by the longest recession since the Second World War. Landbauer emphasized the need for decisive measures to strengthen competitiveness and the construction industry as well as investments in infrastructure. During a period from April 2023 to February 2025, over 700 construction projects with a total volume of around 189 million euros were carried out. At the same time, Wolfgang Ecker, President of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce, called for a clear reduction in bureaucracy, especially at the European level, in order to ensure the competitiveness of companies. According to Ecker, around 75 percent of goods exported in Lower Austria go to EU countries, which underlines the importance of a flexible and efficient set of rules in order not to place further burdens on companies. These demands correspond to the assessment of Johannes Schedlbauer, who calls for a rapid implementation of the reduction in reporting and verification obligations announced by the European Commission.

Both leaders put the regional economy at the heart of their actions and reiterate that less bureaucracy and more efficiency are crucial to securing jobs and promoting prosperity. A further step in this direction is the creation of a simplified approval process, whereby companies will in future have a legal contact person. From the report from WKNÖ and politicians it is clear: The coming months are crucial for the company in Lower Austria, which not only faces the acute challenges but also strives for a positive economic turnaround.