Guidesi: 'We accompany companies in every challenge'

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Presented in the Lombardy Region by the Councillor for Economic Development, Guido Guidesi, the complete package of measures aimed at supporting Lombardy's production and economic fabric. It consists of 20 instruments, including three new measures, worth a total of around 70 million euro. "Our mission is to continue to accompany Lombardy's businesses in every challenge: because if they win, Lombardy wins, employment grows, and the primacy of our economy is strengthened," said Guidesi.

In detail, the three new measures are: the "Investment Measure - Microenterprise Line", "New Enterprise - Small Municipalities and Hamlets" and "Investment Measure - Efficient Enterprise Line". The first, with an endowment of EUR 20 million, is designed to support Lombardy's micro-enterprises that intend to invest in their own development and competitive revitalisation through projects for the technological innovation of plant and equipment. The subsidy consists of a non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of eligible expenditure, with a maximum ceiling of EUR 50,000, for interventions with a minimum value of EUR 10,000 that aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Alongside this, the 'Nuova Impresa - Piccoli Comuni e Frazioni', endowed with EUR 5.56 million, is aimed at the opening of new essential commercial activities in municipalities with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants and in hamlets throughout Lombardy. The aim is to combat depopulation and abandonment by supporting residents with essential services. In this case, the non-repayable contribution can be up to 80% of eligible expenditure, with a maximum of EUR 40,000.

Lastly, the 'Investment Measure - Efficient Enterprise Line', with resources of EUR 43.2 million, aims to encourage investments by small and medium-sized enterprises for energy efficiency and the reduction of climate-changing emissions, including through the use of renewable energy. The support takes the form of a non-repayable grant combined with a free regional guarantee, which will cover up to 70% of the amount of each loan, for projects between EUR 100,000 and EUR 5 million and capable of reducing emissions by at least 30%.

During the presentation, the councillor recalled the additional 17 operational initiatives, which together mobilise about 400 million euro in favour of businesses, including innovative finance instruments, microcredit, capitalisation, support for trade fairs, and programmes to strengthen production chains and industrial ecosystems. These actions, together with the new package, represent an articulated and complementary system of interventions designed to provide immediate responses and long-term prospects. New measures worth an additional EUR 15 million will also be launched by the end of the year, with a focus on credit, internationalisation and the trade fair system, the circular economy, the enhancement of talents, and the cultural heritage of Lombardy's enterprises. Finally, the expression of interest for the recognition of Innovation and Development Zones will also be activated.