Euskirchen district leaves metropolitan region: 22,000 euros saved!

Euskirchen district leaves metropolitan region: 22,000 euros saved!

The Euskirchen district is about to take a remarkable step: it is planning to leave the Metropolitan Region of Rhineland (MRR) association at the end of the year. This decision was made unanimously by the district committee and is now awaiting the approval of the district council. The step brings with it an annual saving of 22,000 euros, which could provide lasting relief to the district's financial situation ksta.de reported.

There is great skepticism towards the MRR. CDU parliamentary group leader Ute Stolz sees no significant benefit for the district and shares this assessment with the parliamentary group leaders of the SPD and FDP, Thilo Waasem and Frederik Schorn. The MRR, founded in 2017, had set itself the task of bringing together the member municipalities and acquiring EU funding. However, from the perspective of the district administration, the goals remained insufficiently achieved due to frequent changes in management. It is now seen as a partially redundant institution, as the Euskirchen district is also a member of the Aachen Region Special Purpose Association (RAZV), which, however, incurs considerable costs of 268,000 euros.

Verification of memberships

Ute Stolz emphasizes that the RAZV is more effective, even if the costs are higher. She calls for streamlining, while Thilo Waasem is pushing for increased efficiency in the RAZV before considering leaving. FDP leader Frederik Schorn sees leaving the MRR as a positive step, but is also putting an exit from the RAZV up for debate in order to address the alignment of the Euskirchen district with the Aachen region and a stronger connection to Cologne/Bonn. There is agreement that the district's membership should be reviewed; the new district council, whose legislative period begins in November, is expected to deal with these issues.

But the Euskirchen district also has other economic challenges to overcome. Since January 1, 2022, it has been one of the support areas of the Regional Economic Development Program (RWP). The funding phase runs until December 31, 2027 and is aimed at small and medium-sized companies in structurally weak regions. North Rhine-Westphalia supports investment projects that are important for the local economy. The Euskirchen district economic development agency offers comprehensive information and advice. Projects that promise significant regional economic effects are particularly supported, and the application procedures are clearly structured serviceportal.kreis-euskirchen.de explained.

Engagement and improving quality of life

Bernd Kolvenbach, who has been a district council member since 1979 and works as parliamentary group leader of the CDU district council group, is passionately committed to a better living situation for citizens. As chairman of the Youth Welfare Committee, he particularly aims to improve the living conditions of children and families. He is also committed to local public transport and supports the plan to electrify the Eifel and Voreifel lines for reliable S-Bahn transport.

Leaving the MRR and the associated savings could help the Euskirchen district to reset its priorities and use the resources in a targeted manner to sustainably increase the quality of life of its residents. With the commitment of experienced local politicians like Kolvenbach, the district is ready to take new paths and thus set the course for a positive future.