Failure of the merger endeavours between Limmatstadt AG and Regionale 2025
The intended merger of Limmatstadt AG with the Regionale 2025 association to create a uniform organisation for regional development in the Limmat Valley has failed, which raises important questions about future location promotion in the region.
The plans to join forces in the Limmat Valley by merging the private-sector Limmatstadt AG and the publicly financed Regionale 2025 association have failed. The two organisations, which had previously worked in parallel on the development of the Limmat Valley as a whole, were unable to agree on a joint structure and financing for a future public-private partnership. This development now raises questions about the continuation of location promotion activities in the region.
The two organisations have existed side by side for a decade with similar objectives but different approaches and funding models. While the Limmat Valley Regional Project Show Association concentrates on the realisation of an exhibition of regional projects, Limmatstadt AG focuses on regional location promotion.
Last year, Limmatstadt AG initiated a strategy project to develop a sustainable structure for regional development with stakeholders from various sectors. The strategy paper “Together for the Limmat Valley” aimed to merge the two organisations from 2026 in order to tackle regional challenges more efficiently.
However, these plans were rejected by the board members of the Limmattal Regional Project Show association, which puts the continuation of the project in question. In response to this development, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Limmatstadt AG, Balz Halter, has announced his resignation and will withdraw from the organisation.
Limmatstadt AG has worked intensively over the last ten years to establish the Limmat Valley as a region and to represent its interests. In view of the current situation, it is now being discussed whether and how location promotion in the Limmat Valley should be continued.
The early public general meeting on 12 March 2024 is intended to provide the framework for a comprehensive discussion on the future of Limmatstadt AG and location promotion in the Limmat Valley.