This morning, the Municipality of Celje signed a sales contract with a consortium of companies, Dafra Kontakt Tehnologija from Žalec and EKM (Samal) from Ajdovščina, for the largest business plot within the EPC Trnovlje – South project. The 26,695 m² plot was sold at the second public auction for the starting price of €1,508,267.50, with the buyer also responsible for an additional 22% VAT.

At the signing, Mayor Matija Kovač emphasized that this marks a major milestone for the economy in Celje, as a new business zone has not been developed in the city for a long time. In the coming years, two successful companies will begin operations in the new zone.

Signing Ceremony and Companies' Background
The contract was officially signed by:
Matija Kovač, Mayor of the Municipality of Celje
Uroš Štuklek, Director of Dafra Kontakt Tehnologija
Uroš Marc, Director of EKM (Samal)
Dafra Kontakt Tehnologija (Žalec) specializes in metal components for automobiles, electric tools, and small household appliances, while EKM (Samal) from Ajdovščina focuses on commercial and industrial refrigeration technology

Strategic Business Zone and Development Plans
The sold plot is located in Trnovlje, along the newly built Connecting Road A, which was constructed as part of the road and municipal infrastructure development in the zone. The land consists of nine parcels and was sold as a single unit.

According to the Trnovlje – South Zoning Plan, the plot is designated as a building site for production and service activities.

As per the EPC Trnovlje – South development plan, the buyer must start business operations and construct a commercial facility within three years after the project's completion, no later than the end of 2027.

Background and Previous Land Sales
Over the past year, the Municipality of Celje has developed road and municipal infrastructure in EPC Trnovlje – South to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

First auction (July 2024): A 4,371 m² plot was sold for €360,215.22.
Second auction (October 2024): The largest 26,695 m² plot was successfully sold.

Funding and Investment Overview
The €1.8 million EPC Trnovlje – South project is being implemented with non-repayable EU funds from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), with up to €1.2 million in EU funding secured.

Mayor’s Statement: A Significant Step for Celje’s Economy
Mayor Matija Kovač expressed optimism about the new business investments, stating:

"Today's contract signing is a very important event for the Municipality of Celje. It has been a long time since a new business zone was developed in Celje, making this project a significant milestone. The sale of the largest land parcel in this area, designated for production and service activities in the fields of electrical components and refrigeration technology, marks a major step forward. Two medium-sized companies will relocate their headquarters and jobs to Celje, strengthening the city's economy. Developing economic infrastructure and providing opportunities for businesses to grow ensures local job creation and added value for our economy. Celje, with its excellent location and well-established industries, offers a favorable environment for development. Thanks to the Recovery and Resilience Plan, we have been able to accelerate the construction of this business zone, including two connecting roads, complete municipal infrastructure, public lighting, access to public transport, and KolesCE bike-sharing stations. I am confident that this zone will thrive quickly. The municipality will fully support both investments, helping to facilitate their setup and the start of business operations in Trnovlje."

Investor Statements: Why Celje?
Uroš Štuklek, Director of Dafra Kontakt Tehnologija, explained that his company had been searching for a suitable land plot in Celje or the broader Savinja region for some time. At the moment, the company is located in Žalec. "Unfortunately, there were no large plots available, so I approached the Municipality of Celje to express our interest. In the first auction, the plot size was too large for our company, so we didn’t participate. Fortunately, there were no other bidders. Thanks to the strong involvement of the Municipality of Celje, we were able to find a business partner and identify a common interest. We applied for the second auction and succeeded. This marks a new step for our business, with major investments ahead."

Uroš Marc, Director of EKM and Samal, added that his company already operates partially in Celje, with most of its employees based in the city. "With this land purchase, we plan to centralize our operations in Celje and further expand our business activities."