The Święta Katarzyna district is an attractive location for businesses. The establishment of the local Community Zone of Economic Activity (GSAG) in 2000 has resulted in rising numbers of companies and new jobs in the area. The zone covers an area of 80 hectares in the town of Siechnice that the community authorities have assigned for investment in production, services and trade. The area has direct access from the Wrocław-Opole road (National Road no. 94). The community provides businesses with plots ranging from 1 to 20 ha complete with infrastructure.

Businesses operating in the zone include window frame producer Deceuninck, formerly known as Thyssen Polymer Polska Sp. z o.o.; hydraulic couplings manufacturer Parker Hannifin Sp. z o.o.; and logistics operator Phoenix Group. Three other projects are under way: TIM SA is building a logistics center for electrical goods on a lot of 16 ha; Hasco-Lek SA is constructing a pharmaceutical plant on an area of 4 ha; and Michael Bubolz Sp. z o.o. is building a 4-ha factory to make surgical equipment.

"The community offers investors exemptions from local taxes," says Jerzy Fitek, Święta Katarzyna community administrator. "The exemption depends on the amount of capital invested and the declared number of jobs created for local residents. We provide comprehensive technical and organizational assistance to facilitate all the necessary decisions and permits as well as access to utilities. The community is interested in companies with environment-friendly operations."

Apart from the businesses in the Community Zone of Economic Activity, Święta Katarzyna is home to a number of large manufacturing plants, service centers and small and medium-sized enterprises. The community has a well-developed infrastructure, and thanks to the Czechnica Combined Heat and Power Plant, all towns and villages in the area have an extended power grid; some also have heat installations. Ninety-eight percent of the community has water supply systems, and around 40 percent has sewage systems. The community still has vacant plots for both business and housing purposes.

"The Święta Katarzyna community is also a splendid destination for sports activities," says Fitek. "There are particularly good hiking and cycling conditions in what will be the Oder and Oława Valley Scenic Park. Wrocław residents can come to Święta Katarzyna to spend a pleasant weekend on a 30-kilometer bicycle route with a stop at a good restaurant. We have published special brochures for cyclists. We want to reconstruct the old boathouses along the Oder River and launch ferries across the river as well as boat cruises from Wrocław with a stop in Święta Katarzyna. Together with investors, we want to build a marina for boats and motor boats complete with a hotel and service complex on the bank of the Oder River."


International contacts
In its development strategy, Święta Katarzyna Community draws from the experience of local governments in other European Union countries. The community's authorities are in touch with local governments abroad. They have signed a cooperation agreement with the Sin-le-Noble community in France and declared an intention to sign a partnership agreement with the Cecina community in Italy. These two communities have hosted Polish delegates and sent their representatives to Poland. In connection with these links, Święta Katarzyna is interested in exchanging experience in local government and administration as well as in working together in culture, sports and business.


Święta Katarzyna Community is located in the Wrocław Plains along the valley of the Oder River, which is the community's border in the northeast. The district is part of Lower Silesia province and neighbors the southeastern part of the city of Wrocław. The community has an area of 9,857 hectares and is home to 24 towns and villages inhabited by almost 14,000 people. Its population has been steadily rising over the past few years due to the migration of Wrocław residents to surrounding areas.

Święta Katarzyna Community Administration, 17 Żernicka St., 55-010 Święta Katarzyna; tel. +48 (0) 71 311-63-55, +48 (0) 71 311-43-64, -65, fax +48 (0) 71 311-43-70; e-mail:biuro@sw-katarzyna.pl , website: www.sw-katarzyna.pl