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🇧🇪 Belgium /Economy & Trade

Landen offers 5,000 euro subsidy for startups to tackle empty shops

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The city of Landen in Belgium is offering a 5,000 euro subsidy to new businesses and those taking over existing ones to combat retail vacancy.
  • The initiative, called #Pand3400, aims to reduce the number of empty storefronts in the city center, which currently stands at 17.
  • The program also offers incentives for property owners and support for entrepreneurs testing business ideas.

The city of Landen, Belgium, is launching an initiative to revitalize its struggling city center by offering financial incentives to entrepreneurs. The program, dubbed #Pand3400, aims to tackle the issue of retail vacancy, which currently affects 17 properties in the core shopping area.

We can keep complaining about the 17 vacant properties, but we want to move forward.

— Anne VanbrabantAlderman of Local Economy, explaining the motivation behind the #Pand3400 initiative.

Under the initiative, individuals looking to rent, buy, or take over an existing business can receive a subsidy of up to 5,000 euros. This financial boost is intended to lower the barriers to starting a business in Landen. The city has allocated 240,000 euros for this legislative period to support the project.

For those unsure about launching a full-scale business, Landen offers a subsidized rental scheme. Entrepreneurs can test their concepts with a grant of up to 1,000 euros and a reduced rent for the first year. The rent is set at 450 euros per month for the initial six months, followed by 500 euros per month for the next six months.

With #Pand3400, we want to make the barriers to entrepreneurship as low as possible.

— Anne VanbrabantAlderman of Local Economy, describing the goal of the program.

The city is collaborating with organizations like Unizo and Starterslabo to provide guidance and support to new business owners, aiming to increase their chances of success. Property owners of vacant commercial spaces also benefit, receiving a one-year exemption from vacancy taxes if they participate in the program. Additionally, their properties will be promoted to attract potential tenants.

Anyone who wants to rent a property, buy one, or take over an existing business can receive a 5,000 euro subsidy through the project.

— Anne VanbrabantExplaining the main subsidy available to new business owners.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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