Stuttgart (dpa/lsw) – The state government has launched the announced aid for medium-sized companies and the self-employed to deal with the energy crisis in winter. “We are very proud that we managed to do this,” said Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) on Tuesday in Stuttgart. From December 1st, bakers, butchers and foundries can apply for low-interest loans. The program is limited until March 31st. The money should flow from the beginning of 2023, said Kretschmann. Even if the federal government’s gas price brake applies retrospectively from January, the state wants to stick to the planned aid.
With the liquidity credit, which can be between 10,000 euros and 5 million euros, the companies should bridge the winter when they can no longer cover the energy costs. Companies that have a very high proportion of energy costs, at least three percent of annual sales, should receive a repayment bonus of 10 percent, up to a maximum of 300,000 euros, in addition to the low interest rate of currently 2.1 percent.
The state also offers companies free crisis advice to clarify where they can relieve themselves of energy costs. This program starts on December 1st and runs until June 30th, 2023. Cost for the state: four million euros. The consultants should provide information on how the companies can get additional credit. In addition, it should be examined how companies can better prepare themselves for fluctuations in energy prices, for example through savings or more efficient systems. And: “Approaches to passing on the higher energy costs to customers” should be identified.