El Ayuntamiento destina 130.000 euros en ayudas para el Casco Histórico

The Local Government Board has approved this Friday, April 25, the call for the new Plan to Support Commercial Activity in the Historic Center of Cartagena (PAAC), endowed with 130,000 euros, 30,000 euros more than in the previous call, for subsidies aimed at promoting the opening, remodeling, and adaptation of businesses in the urban center of the city.

�

The call, which will be valid until September 1, 2025, includes grants of up to 10,000 euros per project, extendable to 15,000 euros if the premises are located on Calle San Fernando, one of the strategic areas in the commercial revitalization objective of the Historic Center.

�

Both individuals and legal entities and communities of property may benefit from these grants, which have initiated, modified, or assumed the ownership of a commercial, business, artistic, or museological activity within the defined perimeter of the old town since August 1, 2024. Among the eligible expenses are the adaptation works of premises, acquisition of equipment and technology, training in window dressing and marketing, and fees derived from urban or opening procedures. In the previous year’s call, 13 projects were submitted, of which 9 meeting the requirements were subsidized.

�

The mayor, Noelia Arroyo, has emphasized that «this plan aims to continue the economic boost of the historic center, reward entrepreneurship, and strengthen the most emblematic commercial areas, with special attention to those that require preferential activation like San Fernando.»

�

Revitalizing the Historic Center

�

Arroyo has explained the details of the plan during the events organized by the Open Commercial Center on the occasion of the Day of Historic Districts, where she highlighted the need to «create new opportunities for traditional commerce» and pointed out that «the recovery of historic centers involves making them attractive to live in, visit, and shop in.» The mayor recalled that «Cartagena maintains the «Zero Rate» for opening businesses and opening them in the center will become increasingly appealing due to the influx of visitors and because we are committed to creating more housing on its vacant lots.» She specifically mentioned the work being done to intervene in the vacant lots of the historic center, in compliance with the Land Law.

�

The mayor, accompanied by the president of the Open Commercial Center of Cartagena, Antonio S�nchez, recalled that the ADLE is also developing specific lines of work for commerce, with training in window dressing, English, or marketing; others to achieve excellence in commerce, with the collaboration of the Incyde Foundation, for project advice and support; and others that are having a direct impact on the revitalization of the historic center. In this regard, she mentioned that 30 training positions will soon be available for construction and intervention tasks in historic environments, recalling the interventions that have been carried out in Tahona and San Esteban streets.

�

She also highlighted the work of the Commerce department, which has implemented various commercial revitalization initiatives, with great success, and is working on the Commerce Gala for next October, an initiative to value Cartagena’s merchants.

�

The approved grants

�

The grant award process will be carried out on a competitive basis, evaluating criteria such as the investment made, job creation, hiring of people at risk of exclusion, or the location of the premises in priority areas.

�

The application can be processed both in person and electronically, through the digital headquarters of the City Council. The grants will be paid in advance after being awarded and must be justified within one year.

Back to the list

�