The direct beneficiaries will be hoteliers, retailers, businesses and self-employed individuals dedicated to tourism, students, employment policy makers, and people in vulnerable situations.
Sources from the Cieza local government indicate in a statement that "there is no doubt that the pandemic we have been experiencing for the last year is causing major problems for families and businesses in our city. From the very beginning, in March 2020, the municipal government began taking measures to mitigate the effects of the crisis caused by the pandemic, as well as to reactivate our city's economic sectors. Thus, taxes, such as the tax on public spaces used for tables and chairs, were suspended, direct aid was given to businesses and hospitality industries, and we were pioneers in the region in launching incentive campaigns, which collectively raised €400,000. Drinking water bills were subsidized, and €100,000 was allocated for a specific employment plan, among other measures."
The note adds that "At the beginning of 2021, the municipal government continued to take measures, such as offering a six-month discount on drinking water bills for hospitality establishments and extending the suspension of the fee for the occupation of tables and chairs on public roads until the end of 2022. In addition to all of this, there are the new measures announced by the municipal government, once the budget settlement for the previous year has been completed and the surpluses from previous years have been incorporated. Specifically, it should be noted that aid for commerce and hospitality will be increased to 500,000 euros, a new line of aid for companies or self-employed workers dedicated to tourism activities will be created in the amount of 15,000 euros, 35,000 euros will be allocated for student transport aid, and a specific employment plan will be launched, which also increases its amount to 150,000 euros. In addition, the amount allocated to aid for people in vulnerable situations will double, reaching €300,000. Ultimately, this means putting one million euros at the service of our residents, who are suffering the consequences of the crisis and, in many cases, struggling to maintain their businesses and jobs.
In the words of the Councilor for Finance, Antonio Ignacio Martínez-Real, "all of this aid will be financed largely with the cash surplus obtained thanks to the good municipal management of previous years and which can be used now that the Spanish Government has abolished fiscal stability and spending rules. The crisis caused by the pandemic is causing great harm in all cities, but the fact that in Cieza we can access this surplus is helping our City Council have resources with which to mitigate the serious consequences of COVID-19," the statement concludes.
Source: Cieza City Council.
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