“I am convinced that by the end of 2009, we will be the region that has best withstood the crisis,” announced Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of the city of Nice. “The General Council is going through a difficult period. But we have their full commitment,” added Eric Ciotti, President of the same Council. This recovery plan, based on “public investment” of around 500 million euros, will be voted on by the Alpes-Maritimes General Council on March 19. This action, taken in coordination with European partners, can only bear fruit with the help of public actors involved in the economy. Local authorities are therefore the first targeted.
“Investment creates wealth, and therefore creates jobs,” comments Éric Ciotti. And to boost activity, works that were supposed to wait until 2010 will be undertaken this year. Among them: the renovation of the Nice and Cannes Convention Centers, the extension of the penetrative road connecting Cannes-Grasse, and the start of works in the Var Plain to counter flooding.
A Plan in Three Parts
The first part favors businesses, with 110 million euros being released. The business tax will not be increased. This measure includes the anticipated repayment of state fiscal debts (corporate tax, VAT credits, etc.). The state will also lend even more to companies. It also aims to facilitate the use of short-time work and to streamline administrative formalities.
The second part concerns the modest sum of 364 million euros, dedicated to public investment. Various projects, like the improvement of the Saint Jean d’Angély Campus, will be subsidized by the state.
In the third part, 30 million will be allocated to measures in favor of household purchasing power, housing, and employment solidarity. This plan includes the construction of 5,500 housing units (nearly 3,000 urban), a zero-interest loan, and scrappage and solidarity bonuses. “Investment is what supports employment. If there is mass layoff, there’s no point in talking about purchasing power,” asserts Christian Estrosi.
This distribution gives a lot of credit to corporations and thus follows the wishes of the Head of State who favors long-term investments. While awaiting the final vote, it’s hard to say if the 500 million euros will be enough to jump-start the economy of the Alpes-Maritimes.
