The construction of road and municipal infrastructure in the Trnovlje – South Economic-Business Zone, where the Municipality of Celje is developing new business areas for entrepreneurial activities, is nearing completion. The project, funded by EU resources, is now entering a phase where fully serviced plots will soon be available for investors.

To promote these new investment opportunities, the second presentation and promotional event was held yesterday at the Etra Business Center in Bukovžlak. The first public auctions for the sale of plots are planned for next month.

Infrastructure Development and Sustainability Measures
A year ago, at the first business meeting, the vision and plan for the zone were presented to entrepreneurs, while construction work was just beginning.

Since then:

• Two new connecting roads have been built, forming the backbone of the municipal infrastructure.
• Sustainability measures—so-called blue and green infrastructure—have been implemented.
• Public lighting powered by solar collectors has been installed.
• 33 new trees have been planted.
• Electric vehicle charging stations, bus stops for Celebus, and the KolesCE bike-sharing system will be installed in the coming days.
• An eco-island for waste separation will be set up.

Strategic Urban Planning for Business Growth
*"This is an important development for the Municipality of Celje, as we haven’t seen such a systematic approach to business zone expansion in some time. The sale of newly serviced plots and the management of the zone also mark a step forward in its future growth. This is supported by the soon-to-be-adopted Municipal Spatial Plan (OPN), which was recently publicly displayed and envisions an expansion of economic activities in the Trnovlje area. The revised OPN draft is currently in the final stage, where responses to public comments are being prepared. Several changes are expected for this area, particularly in residential buffer zones, additional green spaces, and a clearer separation between industrial and other land uses. We anticipate that the finalized OPN proposal will be made public in the coming days before being submitted for approval by the relevant spatial planning authorities,"* said Matija Kovač, Mayor of the Municipality of Celje, during the business event.

Available Plots and Investment Conditions
In EPC Trnovlje – South, five newly serviced zones are now available. The total area of vacant business land is 5.13 hectares, designated for production, service, and economic activities.

According to Aleksandra Rezar, Head of the Department for Environment, Spatial Planning, and Utilities at the Municipality of Celje, the land sale will follow legal regulations governing state and municipal property transactions and will be conducted through a public auction process. The first land auctions are scheduled for next month.

Eligible buyers include micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The buyer must start their business activities within three years of the EPC Trnovlje – South project’s completion, no later than the end of 2027.

Additionally, certain restrictions apply:

• Businesses cannot engage in activities that harm climate change mitigation efforts.
• Investments must align with the transition to a circular economy.
• Activities must not generate long-term non-removable waste.
• Purchased property cannot be resold within five years.
• Financial Incentives for Investors

Investors who purchase land and begin constructing a business facility will be eligible to apply for subsidies under a public call for co-financing economic development measures in the Municipality of Celje. This call is expected to be published in September 2024.

Project Funding and Total Investment
The Municipality of Celje secured €1.1 million in non-repayable EU funds for the EPC Trnovlje – South project through the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). The total project value is approximately €1.8 million.