Local supply in Nidderau: Fighting against the decline of shops!

Local supply in Nidderau: Fighting against the decline of shops!

In Nidderau, local supplies are becoming more and more of a big problem. How mkk-echo.de reported, the post office in Ostheim had to close on June 30, 2025. This event is just another chapter in the ongoing decline of shops that is affecting many communities in Germany. Above all, demographic change and the shrinking population are causing problems for cities and communities.

As early as 2010, the political actors in Nidderau recognized the need to create a new mixed area for commercial and residential development. In view of the constant influx and increasing population, especially in the central district of Heldenbergen, it is becoming increasingly important to create suitable areas for living space. But while the planning for central parts of the area continues, places like Eichen and Erbstadt are left out, which poses major challenges for many citizens.

Demanded by politicians: More mobility for seniors

Klaus Knapp, chairman of the Nidderau Senior Citizens' Union, is campaigning for an on-demand bus shuttle system to support older people. “We have to make sure that the needs of our seniors are heard in local politics,” he appeals. This demand reflects a central challenge: not only does the attractiveness of a place decrease, but so does the quality of life, especially for older people and families. Well-developed local public transport could provide positive impulses here.

This makes it clear that the issue of local supply is closely linked to the aging of society. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture sees demographic change as a major challenge for rural regions where the population is shrinking. While there is an influx of new residents in some areas, the situation in other regions remains tense. However, fair access to food and services is crucial for equal living conditions, as politicians emphasize.

The economic challenges in rural areas

But what about the economic prospects in these rural areas? The BPB points out that the change in employment relationships in rural areas is not uniform. As the region's service sector grows, many places are struggling with migration and a lack of jobs. Over 60% of employees subject to social insurance contributions in rural areas now work in the service sector, which means that digitalization is seen as an opportunity. However, the expansion of the infrastructure, especially for people with limited mobility, continues to fall short of expectations.

However, in times when mobile food delivery services and online trading are increasing, it remains to be hoped that these new offers will also be rooted in rural areas and can alleviate the challenges of local supply to some extent. But this requires not only innovative thinking, but also political support and strong community commitment. Otherwise, the town centers in many small towns and communities risk becoming further deserted, which ultimately affects everyone.