by EH
In a move poised to transform its commercial landscape, Trieste introduced the “Trieste Commerciale” District to a packed audience yesterday afternoon at the Quarantotti Gambini Library. The initiative aims to revitalize the city’s neighborhoods by fostering business growth and enhancing local amenities.
Serena Tonel, the Deputy Mayor and Economic Policies Assessor, opened the meeting by emphasizing the strategic, long-term vision behind the project. “What we are presenting today is not a short-term fix but a strategic, long-term initiative,” Tonel said. She underscored the importance of both public and private sector involvement to ensure the success of the plan, which is aligned with Regional Law 3/2001 aimed at encouraging business and community aggregation.
The “Trieste Commerciale” project is a collaborative effort between the city administration, the provincial Confcommercio, the Chamber of Commerce of Venezia Giulia, the University of Trieste, and URES – Union Regional Economic Slovenian. The initiative marks a significant investment in the city’s economic future, particularly focusing on the San Giacomo and Roiano neighborhoods, chosen for their strong community identity and concentration of businesses.
“This project is a chance to invigorate our local economy and strengthen community ties,” Tonel added. She highlighted key components of the plan, including a forthcoming grant program offering non-repayable contributions, urban development projects, and enhancements in technological infrastructure, such as fiber optic networks.
Antonio Paoletti, President of Confcommercio Trieste, lauded the initiative for its potential to support local businesses and the broader community. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our area. It will sustain the neighborhood economic fabric, which is crucial not just for productivity and employment but also for enhancing the social fabric of our neighborhoods,” Paoletti said.
Nicola De Luca, manager of the “Trieste Commerciale” District, detailed the scale of the project. Encompassing approximately 6,600 tertiary businesses and 96% of Trieste’s residents, the district aims to support a wide range of initiatives. The first phase of funding, exceeding one million euros, will target projects that promote digitalization, sustainability, and infrastructure improvements, including broadband expansion and urban revitalization efforts.
The municipality plans to release a grant application in the fall, allocating 200,000 euros to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in commerce, tourism, services, and crafts in San Giacomo and Roiano. These grants will cover up to 50% of costs for investments in digitalization and sustainability starting from January 1, 2024.
