Vrlici and Trilj Receive 20 Million Kuna for Incubator and Business-Service Center

A total of 19.5 million kuna will be invested in the construction of a business incubator in the Kosore industrial zone near Vrlika, with the contract signed on Monday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts Martina Dalić and the Mayor of Vrlika Jure Plazonić.

“Almost 20 million kuna in non-repayable funds is intended for the construction of business premises, procurement of equipment, and the training of the business incubator as a place where start-up entrepreneurs will gain access to business space, the internet, and advisory services to start their entrepreneurial journey at lower costs,” said Minister Dalić.

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She emphasized that the business incubator is extremely important for the Vrlika area, which is struggling with emigration. According to her, the construction of the incubator demonstrates how EU membership brings European funds to every corner of Croatia. This is the best use of European funds, as it would take years to gather from the city budget, said Dalić.

The Mayor of Vrlika, Plazonić, highlighted that the business incubator in the Kosore industrial zone will be built on a plot of land measuring 8,000 square meters and is expected to be completed by 2019. He explained that of the 19.5 million kuna allocated for the construction of the incubator, 87.7 percent will be co-financed from the EU structural funds, while the remaining part will be invested from the Vrlika city budget.

He also reported that the construction of POS apartments is planned in Vrlika, for which the City of Vrlika will provide land free of charge and will co-finance the interest on loans for young families with children who decide to live in Vrlika.

Trilj Receives 20 Million Kuna for Business-Service Center

On Monday, the City of Trilj was handed a contract granting it approximately 20 million kuna in non-repayable funds from the European Regional Development Fund for the construction of a business-service center in Čaporice.

While handing over the contract to the Mayor of Trilj, Ivan Šipić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts Martina Dalić emphasized that this center will enable the direct creation of about 30 new jobs, and indirectly more than 100.

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“This money shows that Europe is something we can benefit from in all parts of Croatia. It is extremely important that these funds are invested in smaller communities,” Dalić pointed out.

Without directly mentioning the dissatisfaction of the residents of the Cetina region regarding plans for the construction of a gas thermal power plant on Peruća, she stated that fears of investors should not be amplified.

“We should not strengthen any potential fear of investments, investors, and the new. Let us trust in the institutions of our state, in the processes and procedures we have established ourselves and for which we all, especially veterans, have fought,” said Dalić.

Responding to journalists’ questions after the ceremonial session of the Trilj City Council, Minister Dalić emphasized that the business-service center in Čaporice will be a place where entrepreneurs can obtain business space, advice, access to modern infrastructure, and thus achieve cheaper and more competitive entrepreneurial conditions.

“It is important for Trilj that this center is built to support agricultural production, and thus the preservation of traditional values and ways of life in this area,” said Dalić. She noted that almost 20 million kuna, which will be non-repayably invested in the construction of the center, is just slightly less than the annual budget of Trilj, showing that European funds are coming where there is the greatest need for development.