lower austria is promoting its regions. with ecoplus.

ecoplus regional support. opening horizons and promoting regions.

The commercially-oriented structure of ecoplus guarantees the speed and flexibility your company requires. Our decades of experience, highly-specialized team, and farreaching network allow us to offer services ideally tailored to your needs.

ecoplus services.

n Regional supportn Investor services & business parksn Technology & researchn Clustersn Internationalization

ecoplus. open for business for over 50 years.

We advise and accompany in all matters regarding business settlement and expansion, regional support and internationalization, intercompany cooperation and sector-specific networks. We enable better access to education and R&D facilities.

We connect business and politics, education and research, companies and public administration, investors and initiators of regional and international projects.

We accompany initiatives and support projects with our partners at every step of the way, from initial consultation on funding opportunities to co-financing with EU means.

The ecoplus regional support program provides services tailored to the individual needs of project backers. ecoplus assists projects characterized by sustainability and innovation. Projects supported are anchored in and connected to the regions. They utilize regional resources, resulting in both added value and the creation and safeguarding of jobs in the regions.

In the past 25 years, around € 900 million have been used to support more than 2,100 projects, and 15,000 jobs have been created or safeguarded in the regions. The range of financial support for ecoplus initiative projects spans from the realization of innovation and technology centers to the development of commercial and industrial zones, and extends to the expansion of both the bicycle path network and winter sports offer for tourists. Other areas of focus include the promotion of Lower Austria as a trade fair location and the support of nature, cultural and theme parks.

The range of financial support includes the realization of innovation and technology centers, development of commercial and industrial zones, expansion of both the bicycle path network and winter sports offer for tourists. Other areas of focus include the promotion of Lower Austria as a trade fair location and the support of nature, cultural and theme parks.

support from start to finish.

In 1986, the Lower Austrian provincial parliament entrusted ecoplus with the implementation of the regional support program to bolster Lower Austrian regions. The annual support volume was increased from an initial € 25 million to today‘s € 29 million.

The ecoplus regional support program facilitates regional development and increases local added value. And what is more: new jobs are created and existing ones are safeguarded.

initiative projects.

ecoplus initiates, supports and consults on regional initiative projects in Lower Austria, utilizing EU means wherever possible. The regional interconnectedness of leading operations and regions plays an important role in this field of activity.

initiative themes.

Select priorities for regional development are identified, projects are set in motion, and concrete investment projects are supported. Examples in this field of activity include cycling and winter tourism, nature parks and trade fairs.

regions.

In order to support development in the regions in a targeted way, strategic developmental concepts are created and realized jointly with regional decision makers and partner institutions. Examples: the Wachau master plan and the implementation of the LEADER program.

support processing.

The processing of projects submitted for regional support is transparent and effective thanks to close cooperation between ecoplus and the respective department of the Lower Austrian provincial government. In this process, a support agreement is drawn up and subsequently audited by ecoplus.

There is an expedited approval process for projects within the framework of the LEADER and “Fitness” programs in order to realize these as quickly as possible. In the case of investment projects, an on-site inspection is carried out to verify the appropriate use of funding means.

fields of activity.

Lower Austrian regional development supports innovative projects which are firmly anchored in the regions, utilize regional resources and potential, and are characterized by regional interconnectedness and sustainability. ecoplus supports tourism-related, cultural and social projects and initiatives from the very start, from concept creation to assistance in funding opportunities, and even to co-financing with EU means. Support focus lies in economically and/or structurally weak regions.

ecoplus. open for innovative and sustainable projects.

We are partners for entrepreneurial dedication,technological innovation and regional development.

Our promise: one-stop service, a professional partner at your side and dedication to your goals.

Imprint

ecoplus. The Business Agency of Lower AustriaNiederösterreichring 2, Haus A, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria© photos: Archäologischer Park Carnuntum, Kittenberger Erlebnisgär-ten, Lois Lammerhuber, Loisium, Messe Wieselburg, Niederösterreich-Werbung (Rita Newman, Leo Himsl), Robert Herbst, Therme Laa

ecoplus. open to a dynamic lower austria.

ecoplus regional support services.

n Financial support for investments in infrastructure projects.

n Organization, financing and coordination of consulting projects.

n Fixed-term project management for complex development projects of great significance for the regional economy.

n Support for development of auxiliary operations at leading tourist destinations.

n Platform for development outreach – organization of expert meetings, informational events on the topic of regional development.

n Exploratory consultations and background surveys on development topics.

n Exploitation of EU co-financing means within the framework of EU regional policy.

n Collaboration in the creation and implementation of the so-called Structural Funds – Operational Programs.

n Financial support within the framework of LEADER 2007– 2013.

n Processing and auditing of regional support projects.

ecoplus. The Business Agency of Lower Austria

Niederösterreichring 2, Haus A, 3100 St. Pölten, Austria

Tel.: +43 2742 9000 Ext.19757, Fax: +43 2742 9000 Ext.19609

regionalentwicklung@ecoplus.at

www.ecoplus.at, www.wirtschaftszentrum.at

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We promote regional development and support the regional economy on behalf of the province of Lower Austria.

We accompany initiatives and support projects with our partners at every stage along the way, from initial consultation to assistance to co-financing with EU means.

Our principles: on-site presence, professional management and cutting-edge expertise.