Marburg's economy in an alarm mood: Companies fear drastic cuts!

Marburg's economy in an alarm mood: Companies fear drastic cuts!

business representatives in Marburg expressed concerned criticism of the city's financial and economic policy course. Andreas W. Ditze, board member of the IHK Kassel-Marburg, warns of a "total misjudgment" of the situation in the private sector. After a temporary reduction in trade tax, the city is now planning an increase, which, according to Ditze, could lead to falling profits of the companies and accordingly to lower trade tax revenue.

In view of the currently prevailing problems in the private sector, including an aging personnel tribe, the deprivation of workers through government agencies, increasing minimum wages as well as high energy and material prices, Ditze calls for rethinking. The IHK criticizes the city's personnel policy and calls for an end to the "personnel inflation" of the administration. In addition, the need for process simplifications and faster permits for companies are emphasized, especially since long approval times for photovoltaic systems and construction projects lead to a decline in interest in new construction or expansion projects.

effects on companies

The IHK also reports of a lack of commercial space for non-pharmaceutical companies in Marburg and refers to the results of a survey by the German Economy Institute (IW), which shows that 38 % of the companies surveyed want to reduce jobs in 2025. While 40 % of the companies assume poorer business prospects in the coming year, only 23 % of companies are planning more investments, while 40 % expect a decline.

The IHK Kassel-Marburg also sees no ambitions from the city to actively help business companies and criticizes the prioritization of cultural funding on fundamental economic needs. A concrete example of the effects of the lack of support is the change of location of the software company "Weclapp" to Gießen, which is interpreted as a warning for Marburg.

The discussion about the planned trade tax reduction in Marburg, on the other hand, shows that entrepreneurs in the IHK regional assembly support reduction in order to set an example of entrepreneurial friendliness and the strengthening of the local economy. This reduction affects almost a thousand companies and the additional income should be a solidarity sign compared to all trade tax paying companies. According to Peter Lather, the chairman of the IHK regional assembly Marburg, the importance of the additional income for the city and the companies concerned is enormous because these funds are to be used for investments in infrastructure, education, digitization and climate protection.

While trade tax reduction is considered an important signal during Corona pandemic, the Marburg companies make a significant contribution to the city budget. In 2020, they financed around 43 % of the budget through trade tax, which is an important source of income for the city.