With the “Niedersachsen Invest GRW” guideline, the state of Lower Saxony has launched a new funding program aimed at investment projects in the commercial sector. As part of the funding, CO2-reducing additional investments are to be rewarded with higher subsidies.
As part of “Niedersachsen Invest GRW”, companies in Lower Saxony in GRW areas have the opportunity to receive funding for investments to increase capacity if innovative aspects to improve the level of digitalization are also to be implemented as part of the upgrade. Depending on the size and location of the company, 10 to 35 percent of the expenditure can be subsidized. For additional investments with a CO2-minimizing effect, higher pro rata subsidies of up to 65 percent can also be granted in order to accelerate the conversion to a climate-friendly economy. The funding is provided on the one hand from the Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures (GRW) financed by the federal and state governments and additionally from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
In addition to direct support for companies, the focus is also on preparatory measures in the municipalities. For example, embedding these in overarching regional development concepts and implementing them in a way that conserves resources will become increasingly important for the creation of high-quality commercial areas. In addition to construction in GRW areas, upstream planning services and the creation of integrated regional development concepts are also to be financially supported with 60 percent of expenditure.
With the “Niedersachsen Invest GRW” funding guideline, key points from the GRW reform adopted by the federal and state governments at the end of 2022 have been GRW reform have been implemented. The funding guideline is effective immediately. The term of the funding program ends on 31.12.2029.
Further information on the “Niedersachsen Invest GRW” guideline can be found here available here. An overview of the GRW target regions in Lower Saxony can be found on this map.