BIP
Space agency in Wroclaw. Lower Silesian Regional Council members support Wroclaw
On February 27, the 25th session of the Lower Silesian Regional Council took place. Council members unanimously supported Wrocław in its cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the construction of its agency in Poland, specifically in Wrocław. “We are talking about the economy here,” noted Jakub Mazur, Deputy Mayor of Wrocław, during a press conference. “Following the example of the south of the Netherlands, where such a center already exists, we are talking about a GDP of EUR 1.5 billion every year,” he added.
At its session on February 27, the Provincial Council unanimously (with two members absent) adopted a position supporting the candidacy of Wrocław and Lower Silesia as the location for the European Space Agency's Technology Center.
Before the session, KO councilors, deputy marshals of the province, and the deputy mayor of Wrocław met to debate, among other things, support for Wrocław as the city where the European Space Agency branch will be established. We have considerable competition.
“The centers that are also competing for this include Łódź, the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, Gdańsk, and Kraków,” says Vice President Mazur.
He also emphasizes that once a positive decision is made at the national level and by the European Space Agency itself, the branch would be established within a few years. It would be the agency's only center in Central Europe. Mayor Mazur even points to potential locations for the ESA in Wrocław: WPT and Łukasiewicz “PORT.”
He adds that the construction of the ESA in our city is also a matter of huge subsidies, and not, as is insinuated, expenses.
Support from the Regional Council increases Wrocław's chances
During the conference, Vice-President Mazur pointed out the many benefits that locating the Agency in Wrocław would bring - for the whole of Lower Silesia and the country. These include GDP growth, closer business ties, including in the Wrocław-Dresden-Prague triangle, new jobs, an influx of scientists, the development of existing and new investments related to the space industry, and measurable financial benefits for people outside the industry.
We already have satellites created at Plac Strzegomski in Wrocław, telescopes, and radio communications used in space missions. All of this is being developed in our city. We want Lower Silesia to benefit from this, but also to accelerate these processes.
Jakub Mazur, Vice President of Wrocław
Councilors from the KO club also spoke enthusiastically about their support for ESA. “We, as councilors of the Civic Coalition club, have no doubt that all ambitious projects that are being implemented here in Lower Silesia in the ‘dual use’ formula, for economic development, scientific development, and others, bringing benefits to the people of Lower Silesia, are necessary,” said Monika Włodarczyk, chairwoman of the KO club in the Provincial Assembly, during the conference.
The Technology Center is undoubtedly a huge prestige for Lower Silesia. Lower Silesia has the legitimacy to apply for such a center and to receive support from the local government. It is in Lower Silesia, in the Izera Mountains, that the sky can be observed in the darkest conditions. Lower Silesia is home to many companies and start-ups involved in space and space equipment. Therefore, we believe that Lower Silesia should be the location for the ESA Technology Center, and we will support this project.
Magdalena Piasecka, KO club councilor in the Lower Silesian Provincial Assembly
– The Lower Silesian Provincial Assembly will hold a debate on this matter. I hope for the support of all clubs and a unanimous vote on this matter because it is a great project, added Marek Łapiński, vice-chairman of the KO club in the Provincial Assembly.
Deputy Marshals on other important projects
During the press conference, other important resolutions discussed during today's session were also announced. Jarosław Rabczenko, member of the Lower Silesian Provincial Executive Board, spoke about increasing funding for the salaries of people employed in cultural institutions.
“As we have heard, Lower Silesia is a leader in technological development, education, and the infrastructural heart of Poland. But it is also a place where we place a strong emphasis on cultural development and implement many investments to support cultural development,” said Jarosław Rabczenko. “That is why today's session will consider a resolution to increase the amount dedicated exclusively to salary increases in provincial cultural institutions by PLN 4.5 million.”
Deputy Marshal Wojciech Bochnak referred to the draft increasing the amount of scholarships for students with disabilities under the Sprawny Uczeń (Fit Student) program.
This is PLN 8.5 million that will go to students with disabilities. This is over 1,500 people who will receive PLN 3,500 each in scholarships. We are implementing the Sprawny Uczeń project for the second year. Today, we are increasing the pool of people by another 300 students who will receive these scholarships.
Wojciech Bochnak, Deputy Marshal of the Lower Silesian Province