Prime Minister Petteri Orpo heard Äänekoski's wishes in the restructuring of business life: "We are in the same boat"
Prime Minister Peter Orpo visited Äänekoski on 18.11.2024 November XNUMX and met representatives of Metsä Group's and Valtra's factories and personnel, as well as the city's management regarding the drastic change in the business world and the company's layoff news. Members of Parliament from the ruling party Central Finland were also present Sinuhe Wallinheimo ja Ville Väyrynen. The state will use all instruments to help the situation.
Together with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, we went through what concrete the state could do for Äänekoski and its residents. Orpo wanted to hear the wishes of the city and the moods of the companies' personnel. Prime Minister Orpo promised that all possible state means will be considered in order to find work for everyone.
- I am really sorry for those who are affected by this and who will lose their jobs. I hope everyone finds a new career path. I also understand Äänekoski's concern about the effects on the area's vitality, Prime Minister Orpo said.
- We are in the same boat and we do this together. We try to take care of everyone as best we can.
- We hope for four concrete things: investment subsidies for companies and, on a case-by-case basis, investment subsidies for companies could be examined in accordance with support area 2, pre-construction of business plots, and change security training and their financing. We have very concrete and feasible wishes. The Prime Minister was very interested, especially in the idea of business support, the mayor Matti Tuononen says.
- We at Äänekoski have good plans for the future, but there is also uncertainty as to whether they will come true. There will be a few lean years anyway, when there will be extensive layoffs and layoffs. We want as much support as possible for Äänekoski in order to smooth out the gap during the transition period and ensure new growth, the vitality leader Sari Åkerlund says.
Chairman of the City Board Kari Kiiskinen best wishes to the ministry that the infrastructure and transport projects would progress, the highway issue would progress and that the investment support for master projects would be realized. Chairman of the City Council Jari Halttunen adds that the most important thing is that new jobs could be created in the area.
The restructuring of business life in Äänekoski is timed at the same time as the TE reform is underway.
- The companies and the city have very similar ideas and concerns. We should be able to retrain people, but at the same time funding is being cut in Finland from both education providers and employment management. In your opinion, the situation is unsustainable, regional director of employment Tiina Mäenpää says.
Prime Minister Orpo promised to discuss education cuts with the Minister of Labor and go through the city's wish list. The state will use all instruments to help the situation.
For more information:
City manager Matti Tuononen, 040 572 3239, matti.tuononen@aanekoski.fi
Vitality Director Sari Åkerlund, 050 598 7447, sari.akerlund@aanekoski.fi
News published, modified 19.11.2024 at 09:22