Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held talks with Salgótarján Mayor Zsolt Fekete on a comprehensive 90 billion HUF plan to develop the northern Hungarian city into a regional economic, cultural and sports center.
Referring to the city’s industrial past in the Socialist era, PM Orbán said that “twenty-seven years have passed since the fall of communism, therefore we cannot allow the country to have a county-ranked city which still sees itself as a loser from the political changes. It is essential that this former industrial city with great traditions should find its place in the Hungary of the 21st century.”
PM Orbán stressed the government’s commitment to enabling the city, a traditional industrial center, to prosper in the 21st century, too. The plans envisage a variety of projects, including a 50 billion HUF four-lane bypass road to the Slovak border, a new oncological center, a comprehensive renovation of the city center and various sports facilities such as a new public pool, an athletic center and an ice rink.
In order to develop the local economy and industry, 10 billion HUF will be allocated to develop a total area of 40–45 hectares of the city’s brownfield “rust zones”, with a new industrial park enabling suitable areas to contribute to production. Another industrial park on a 12-hectare greenfield site will be created, with funding of 2.5 billion HUF. Projects needed to enhance the region’s tourist appeal will cost 22 billion HUF.