Uri wants to strengthen its business location in the long term
The previously applicable economic development strategy dates back to 2016. Since then, Uri as a business location has developed positively. The opening of the new cantonal railway station in Altdorf, the valorisation of Werkmatt Uri, the development of tourism in Andermatt and the establishment of new research institutes have all contributed to this. Overall, important indicators such as population and employment figures have shown a constant upward trend in recent years.
The economic development strategy serves as a communication instrument vis-à-vis the economy and politics and creates transparency about the programmatic orientation of economic development. It contributes to achieving the goals according to the Economic Promotion Act – increasing economic strength and competitiveness as well as securing and maintaining jobs – and thus strengthening Uri as a business location in the long term.
The canton of Uri is positioned as a reliable and pragmatic partner with short routes. The foundations for positive employment development are being laid with the help of key projects. The main topics are knowledge-based services, alpine technology, tourism in the alpine region and around the Lake of Uri, traffic and safety technology, energy technology/cleantech as well as precision engineering and polymer technologies. In future, greater emphasis will also be placed on the opportunities for corporate functions (back office, development units) and the creative industries.
The most important projects for location development are the further development of the existing and new research and education offers in the direction of a “Campus Uri”, the support of development focal points for the provision of attractive commercial, industrial and service areas, the monitoring of the positive effects from the continuing large-scale investments in tourism, the transfer of the cantonal digitalisation strategy to the companies in Uri and the promotion of municipal lighthouse projects. The strategy will be aligned with the canton’s planned climate protection concept.
A marketing concept ensures target group-oriented communication. Important measures are the cultivation of resident companies, the visualisation of the key topics and potentials of the business location with factsheets and networking events, projects with a focus on “homesick” Uri residents, the further development of the ambassador network and the bundling of core messages about the Canton of Uri.
Broad-based process and close coordination with the government programme
The updated economic development strategy is closely coordinated with the government programme 2020 – 2024+. The update was accompanied by the consulting firm LOC AG from Zurich, which has proven national expertise in this area. Partners from business, tourism and municipalities as well as various cantonal offices were also involved in the process. Now the economic development strategy from 2016 has been updated and sharpened and adopted by the government council. The document is available on the internet at www.ur.ch/wirtschaft.