La alcaldesa destaca los proyectos transformadores de Cartagena en un momento histórico

Cartagena is in a «historic moment» due to the convergence of several major transformative projects: the urban integration of the Port, the addition of the Galeras mountain, the development of the CAETRA innovation corridor, the energy transformation of the Escombreras Valley, and a leap in quality in tourism with the organization of major events and the recovery of heritage. as explained by the mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo, in the State of the Municipality Debate who has also announced the creation of a free advisory service against occupation within a Housing Strategy «that is already yielding results in the form of permits for over 200 new homes in the Historic Center».

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One of the main axes proposed has been the integration of the Port into the city, a project designed between the Port Authority and the City Council that will transform the city’s image, which has already begun to change by transforming Alfonso XII into a gastronomic center, which will take a major step with the waterfront of Santa Lucía and will extend from Cala Cortina to the Navidad lighthouse to «multiply the economic, cultural, and social value of the port area».

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In fact, the project in the dock has larger dimensions due to the upcoming incorporation of the 90 hectares of land from the Galeras mountain «Galeras is one of the great city projects that are born in this legislature. Assuming that challenge, we will fulfill an ambition of many Cartageneros who have been waiting for many years for the fortresses of the coast and all the surrounding nature to be recovered, have tourist use, and become an area for walking and sports linked to the city». The mayor has confirmed that this is an acquisition prepared months ago and only activated «when we had confirmed that there was a real interest from the private sector to collaborate in the rehabilitation of the old Fajardo barracks, with a model of heritage recovery linked to quality tourism, at no cost to the public coffers and with job creation».

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She has also focused part of her intervention on the development of the CAETRA project, oriented towards technological innovation in the defense sector. She has reported that more than 130 companies are already part of this network, which brings together administrations, universities, and sector companies. She has also said that the first 10 companies welcomed in the first commercial accelerator of defense companies in Spain, implemented in Cartagena, have already closed operations for more than six million euros. Arroyo has explained that national and foreign investors have already shown interest in this project that can change the economic structure of Cartagena.

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There are also great opportunities in the energy sector. The mayor has recalled that the Industrial Planning Plan foresees at least six strategic projects in the Escombreras Valley with an associated investment that could reach 3.000 million euros, which will be destined for the modernization of the productive fabric, the improvement of logistic infrastructures, and the attraction of new activities linked to the energy transition.

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Arroyo has explained that Cartagena reinforces its role as a cultural capital of the Mediterranean after having demonstrated its ability to organize major events. She recalled that just five years ago «it would have seemed crazy» to think that a band like Kiss would choose Cartagena for their European farewell or that in just one week the city would accumulate 87,000 attendees at two festivals, as happened this year with Rock Imperium and Cartagena Suena, which included the double concert of Arde Bogotá. Its ability to organize events and the work of heritage recovery being carried out will allow a real leap in quality in Cartagena’s tourism.

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Housing

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The New Municipal Housing Strategy has been another key focus of her intervention. Among the measures already implemented, she emphasized that Cartageneros now have, for the first time, a free legal advisory service against occupation, which also offers legal support for renting safely and specific training to the Local Police on how to deal with these types of situations.

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She also detailed the initial results of the forced building procedure that the City Council activated this year: permits have been requested to build a total of 221 new homes and 97 residence rooms in the old town. In addition, Arroyo has announced that the 16 plots already notified that remain without a permit will be auctioned in September, with the aim that they pass into the hands of developers who commit to allocating them for housing.

1945 fewer unemployed

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The mayor began her intervention by highlighting that «in Cartagena there are 1,945 fewer unemployed than when this legislature began. The decrease in unemployment has been higher than the national and regional average. The decrease in unemployment has been 13.8% compared to the national 10.5% and the regional 7.3%». She explained that a destabilization of tourism is being consolidated, which is greatly reducing the employment fluctuations that occur after the high seasons.

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Arroyo explained the special effort that the Government has made in the training of employees of the companies leading the industrial transformation, with the pioneering initiative in Spain of the Training Board for New Industries. «Thanks to the collaboration of our companies, more than 1,620 students are being trained this year in new industries through 30 micro-training agreements and 40 agreements for dual vocational training plans with a professional qualification certificate. Since the establishment of the Board, we have carried out 101 training actions that have resulted in 3,250 certifications and micro-accreditations to work in our companies,» she reported.

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Claims

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«Cartagena only needs the help it deserves. But we will not settle for less,» said the mayor, who complained about the insufficient municipal financing and the delay in projects and infrastructure that belong to the National Government. She added that Cartagena is ready to contribute to Spain if it receives the funding its projects deserve.

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Arroyo announced that tomorrow, Friday, the Governing Board will approve the tax ordinances for 2026. «We will be the first major municipality in the Region to have the tax and fee review ready, with the aim of continuing to boost the economy of companies, help families, and do so, moreover, with sufficient advance to achieve two results: having budgets ready to operate from the first working day of January and for entrepreneurs to see Cartagena again as a place with low taxation, investment incentives, and legal certainty.» The mayor explained that these decisions demonstrate the usefulness that the Government pact has for Cartageneros.

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MC points out the lack of a model for Cartagena

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The MC spokesperson, Jesús Giménez Gallo, has been critical of the current municipal government’s management, which he described as «disastrous». According to the councilor, and referring to the mayor’s speech, there is no city model, «we live in a overwhelmed Cartagena, we are not the tourist, economic, or cultural capital of the Mediterranean, because its management is terrible and due to the neglect, not only of the national government of Pedro Sánchez, but also of the regional government of López Miras».

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In his intervention, Giménez Gallo reviewed what he considers pressing issues to be resolved, such as the opening of the beach bars; the decontamination of the Hondón lands for housing construction; the deficiencies in health care; the lack of security in neighborhoods and districts; the recovery of cultural spaces (Cine Central, Nuevo Teatro Circo); the neglect in terms of cleaning and garden care; the lack of participation in municipal affairs and the ignorance shown by the regional government in its budgets.

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The PSOE emphasizes the importance of neighborhoods and districts

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In his intervention in the debate, the spokesperson for the PSOE, Manuel Torres, began by missing in the mayor’s speech the mention of the «municipality». «She talks more about the city than the municipality, she doesn’t mention it at any time, and therefore does not include the neighborhoods and districts, the neighbors with all their problems, who are the real Cartagena, not the one you describe.»

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Manuel Torres also brought up the violent events this past weekend in the neighboring town of Torre Pacheco, about which he called for greater speed in condemning such acts.

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Regarding the state of the municipality, the PSOE spokesperson considered that it is currently «without a future project or management model,» while defending that «the only one investing here is the government of Spain».

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VOX reaffirms its support for the family and announces a security plan

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The VOX spokesperson, Gonzalo López Pretel, reaffirmed his group’s support for the family, one of the pillars of their policies that they have been developing through their participation in the municipal government. «We are working on implementing tax benefits for families with at least one child, and making young people see that abortion is not the solution,» he explained.

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Regarding immigration, he made it clear that they will fight against mafias and the increase in crime, as well as against occupation, and will propose a security plan.

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Other lines of action that the councilor defended for the city government are to promote traditional values and the unity of Spain in cultural and educational programs, as well as to defend equality and life.

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Yes Cartagena condemns any type of violence and advocates for Equality

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The councilor and spokesperson for the Mixed Group-Yes Cartagena, Ana Belén Castejón, also brought up the events in Torre Pacheo to remind the VOX councilors of their role as public representatives, «what we express publicly is what identifies us, and from VOX they have been stirring up the atmosphere for some time, we also condemn any type of violence, but the fight against illegal immigration is not the responsibility of the local administration.»

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Castejón took advantage of the debate to point out, regarding the funding of the Cartagena municipality, that it is not just a matter of the state, the regional government also has a part, «Cartagena has to demand from the Autonomous Community and the government of Spain».

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In urban planning matters, the Yes Cartagena spokesperson has shown support for the work being carried out, not so much for the Equality issues, showing concern for the lack of a more ambitious and innovative project.

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The PP defends Cartagena as a privileged place to live

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The spokesperson for the PP, Ignacio Júdenes, has chosen to defend a vision of Cartagena as «a privileged place to live,» despite the fact that the national government does not contribute, «we are content for them to step aside and not hinder.»

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«While it is necessary to frame this debate in the current corruption situation in the country, this cannot detract from the importance of Cartagena, its changes, and improvements, we are building the future from the present, with stability, security, certainty, serenity, and with time to work for the neighbors,» Júdenes said.

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To conclude, the PP spokesperson highlighted the social involvement of the municipal government, «the important thing is the people, this is the most social municipal government that Cartagena has had, our goal is to place people and families at the center of everything, defending equality and freedom.»