Small and medium-sized companies in MV can receive additional help in the energy crisis. The state government decided on Tuesday.
Schwerin (dpa/mv) – To cushion the consequences of the energy crisis, an additional 50 million euros are available for small and medium-sized companies in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. On Tuesday, the state government decided on a five-point package of measures, as Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) said after the first cabinet meeting of the new year in Schwerin. It is intended for companies with up to 250 employees.
Economic State Secretary Jochen Schulte (SPD) explained that small and medium-sized companies that paid at least four times as much for electricity and gas from June to November 2022 as in the same period in the previous year can apply for a subsidy in the amount of a deduction. Companies that use oil, coal or wood pellets should also be relieved. The prerequisite is that their purchase price has more than tripled. In addition, a hardship commission is to be set up to help in emergencies that do not meet the criteria mentioned. According to Schulte, liquidity loans and guarantees are also possible.
According to Schwesig, the aid pot is fed by 20 million euros from the federal government and 20 million euros from the state, which were decided by the state parliament in December. In addition, 10 million euros would come from the state, which had already been planned, according to Schwesig. The head of government emphasized that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the economy in MV. “That’s why it’s very important for us to support these companies.”
In addition, the cabinet decided on Tuesday to grant around 130 food banks and similar institutions in the country 2,500 euros each to absorb increased energy costs and other price increases. The panels are an important contact point for people with low incomes, said Schwesig.
The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of an energy information portal on the Internet. All information from the federal and state governments should be bundled there, she said. The model is the Corona information portal from the times of the pandemic. Up to 500,000 people accessed it every month.
