Dormagen Welcomes €26M Boost, but Questions Fund Distribution
Dormagen is set to receive a substantial boost from the Federal Republic of Germany's Special Infrastructure Fund. The city will receive nearly €26 million, primarily earmarked for investments in education, childcare, and road repairs. However, the distribution of these funds has sparked criticism.
Minister-President Hendrik Wüst has allocated less than half of the total special fund to municipalities, passing on only €10 billion. Dormagen's mayor, Erik Lierenfeld, has criticized this distribution, stating that only around 47 percent of federal funds are being passed on to local authorities. The city administration supports the North Rhine-Westphalia Association of Cities' demand for 78 percent allocation to municipalities.
The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is lumping these federal funds together with existing subsidies, keeping 40 percent for itself. Dormagen hopes to secure additional funds through grants, looking to Rhineland-Palatinate as a model. There, 60 percent of federal funds are passed on, with an additional 20 percent from state resources.
Dormagen welcomes the €26 million investment, but questions remain about the fairness of the distribution process. The city administration continues to advocate for a higher percentage calculator allocation to municipalities.
