Outstanding features of the investment package include almost 220 million euros destined for school building and a further 27 million euros for day-care centre buildings. Within the L-Group the municipal utilities plan to invest around 187 million euros in the expansion of renewable energies and low-emission heat supply for households. The Office of Economic Development is supporting the expansion of broadband in Leipzig with the sum of around seven million euros. Altogether, the city is planning investments of 456 million euros in the current year, and the city's associated companies are investing around 700 million euros. In total, the city and its companies have invested almost 1.2 billion euros on behalf of the citizens.
Funds for school building almost doubled
Leipzig continues to grow and there will still be an influx of new people in the years to come – which is why investments in education stand out in the city's current budget. With around 220 million euros planned for school construction this item has almost doubled compared to 2022 (112 million euros). The investment programme is primarily focused on three construction projects: Prager Spitze secondary school, Dösener Weg Campus and Wiederitzsch an der Messe-Allee secondary school. Growth also impacts the transport infrastructure: A new cycle path is being built between Holzhausen and Baalsdorf at a cost of almost two million euros, and two extensive renovations (Gorkistraße, Waldstraßenbrücke) are to ensure safer and more fluid traffic flow. The “Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe” transport company is expanding its services and network at a cost of almost 90 million euros, thus providing new impetus for sustainable transport.
Financial and economic situation solid – despite the pandemic
Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung: "The New Founder's Era continues for Leipzig. The coronavirus pandemic slowed us down, but we continue to see strong growth in the city, both demographically and economically. Our finances and economic strength are sound and we are well advised to invest as strongly as we can in the future. The economy of Leipzig forms the basis of our growth and we must continue to take it closely into consideration in our planning. Education for children and young people is at the top of the agenda, as is the climate-friendly makeover for the city. This includes a sustainable and, in the medium term, climate-neutral energy supply as well as investments in a transport of the future that puts people at the centre."
Other investment priorities
The Fire Directorate will start building two new rescue stations and a new rescue centre in 2023. The municipal services for the disabled, Behindertenhilfe (SEB), is building a future-oriented day-care centre complex for almost ten million euros, including flats for the disabled and inclusivity places for children.