Karben is planning record investments: 8.8 million euros for 2025!

Karben is planning record investments: 8.8 million euros for 2025!

The city of Karben has set itself big goals for 2025 and plans to set up a remarkable budget of 8.8 million euros for infrastructure projects. Mayor Guido Rahn emphasizes that the city's financial situation is solid, but at the same time warns about the final reserves, which amount to 51.4 million euros by December 31, 2024. Despite these healthy figures, it will be important to use money wisely, as expected revenues for 2026 already promise a budget surplus of 7.15 million euros.

But what does the detailed plan for the investments look like? A look at the planned measures shows that the city wants to invest heavily in infrastructure. 2 million euros have been earmarked for the renewal of the through-road in Groß-Karben. In addition, 3.2 million euros are on the list for the green corridor between Groß-Karben and the new “Brunnenquartier” development area. A further 660,000 euros will flow into the development of new building areas. The city's fire departments can also look forward to funding worth 440,000 euros, while 405,000 euros have been earmarked for the creation of barrier-free bus stops. Investments in early childhood care are particularly important, for which 485,000 euros are planned, including for the new construction of the “Himmelsstöter” daycare center in Rendel.

Financing and expenses

A look at the financial situation reveals complex challenges, as expenses for childcare exceed income by a whopping 12.2 million euros. Currently, 736 of 912 places in city daycare centers are occupied, and since the city has to pay almost half of its income to the Wetterau district and the state of Hesse, it faces further financial hurdles: the district and school levy will increase by 2.2 million euros to 22.7 million euros in 2026. Karben still has 21.7 million euros left.

In addition, the city will receive emergency aid of 612,000 euros from the federal special fund. The municipality can expect around 800,000 euros annually for infrastructure investments over the next twelve years. Mayor Rahn makes it clear that they receive too little support in the municipalities and that the planned measures must respond accordingly to the constant financial challenges.

Nationwide initiatives to promote infrastructure

As part of the nationwide efforts to improve municipal infrastructure, the Federal Cabinet passed a draft law on the state and local infrastructure financing law, which includes a total volume of 100 billion euros for the renovation and expansion of schools, daycare centers, transport routes and other important facilities. This law is intended to enable municipalities and states to invest quickly and specifically in the desired facilities. As the Federal Government Reportedly, financially weak municipalities receive special consideration.

At the same time, the draft law is in the context of the recently passed amendment to the Basic Law, which enables new structural debt of 0.35 percent of gross domestic product to finance investments. This could also represent an opportunity for Karben to acquire fresh money for urgently needed infrastructure projects.

While the city of Karben now has to flesh out its plans, it remains to be seen how the required financial resources will affect the actual implementation of its ambitious projects. The district is facing an exciting time in which decisions must be made in order to ensure the quality of life of the residents and at the same time not to lose sight of the financial scope.