In Vienna, a fourth corona aid package for the economy was launched as part of the government meeting of the SPÖ and Neos. The details were presented on Wednesday: The package of measures is worth a total of 23 million euros. “This fourth Corona package is aimed in particular at the economy and especially at the EPUs in the country,” said the city councilor Peter Hanke (SPÖ), who is responsible for finance and economy. He emphasized that the Vienna aid package should not replace existing federal measures such as fixed cost subsidies or short-time work, but rather support them. It can be divided into two areas: 19 million euros are reserved for an innovation offensive in the Viennese economy, another 4 million euros for tourism in Vienna.
Innovationsoffensive
In the area of innovation offensive, the focus is on promoting EPUs, specifically those that develop new business areas or have to make significant changes to their existing business models due to Corona. They are each supported with up to 7,000 euros, a total of 10 million euros have been budgeted for this. The aid program starts on April 1st. At the same time there will also be a new edition of “Innovate4Vienna II”. SMEs receive financial support in order to be able to adapt their business plans to the pandemic or to tackle new initiatives. Here, individual grants of up to 200,000 euros are distributed, says Hanke. In the previous year there were subsidies for the “chat network”, a Covid rapid test developed in Vienna or an online training portal for medical staff.
Another focus is on the revitalization of ground floor areas and the activation of vacant business premises. To make it easier for companies to use these areas, an existing subsidy was taken, simplified and improved, for example by increasing the funding amount to up to 25,000 euros per project.
Intermediate use promoted
Another new feature is that temporary uses are now also being promoted. The “Business Revitalization Now” funding starts on March 1st, and the corresponding pot is filled with 4 million euros. At the same time, after the first edition last year, “Creatives for Vienna II” begins – a competition for “young creatives and pioneers with good ideas”, says Hanke. Creative solutions for the city are being sought. The maximum funding amount per project is 7,000 euros. A total of 1 million euros is available.
The new package also includes funding for the hard-hit tourism – specifically for the restart of the congress industry. The funds should not only be used for the acquisition of large association congresses, but now for the first time also for company events. “This is a double business promotion: on the one hand for company conferences and on the other hand for contractors such as hotels, restaurants and event organizers,” said Hanke, explaining the idea behind it. According to him, this bundle of measures will not be the last.
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