During the 1990’s, the railway (“the Iron Rhine”) between the city of Antwerp and the Ruhr Area in Germany was revitalized. This attracted many companies that wanted to settle in the area of Lommel.

During the 1990’s of the twentieth century, a growing number of companies settled in Lommel. The City Council of Lommel therefore decided to enlarge the industrial area of the city. Different types of business parks were established: A high qualified business park, a modern business park, a business park bound to the railway between the city of Antwerp and the Ruhr Area in Germany, a business park for mega projects and a business zone for SMEs.

The high qualified business park is functioning as a gateway for the whole area. Companies that were allowed to settle in the high qualified business park, were selected on good architectural design and environmentally friendly character.

More polluting companies were able to settle in the modern business park, but were restricted by the arrangement that these companies should not cause pollution on a large scale.

Companies that wanted to benefit as much as possible from the railway, were able to settle in the business park located along the railway. The possibility to establish an own railway side-track turned out to be a major advantage to these companies.

A large area was appointed to companies that wanted to set mega projects. The conditions were that these projects should be accompanied by large investments, creation of at least 300 job employments, and indirect job creation.

All business parks were provide with the necessary infrastructure, public facilities and landscaping.

The establishment of a business area with several types of business parks.

Total costs were 8 037 970 euros of which the EU contributed 2 721 780 euros.

The project was funded by the European Commission

City Council of Lommel
Mr. Ronnie Vanhoof (Director Local Economy), tel. +32 11 54 47 61

01/01/1999

case

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Business support