Province of Limburg and VDL jointly invest in future of VDL site in Born
The Province of Limburg and VDL Groep are investing millions of euros in stimulating innovation, employment, and quality of life at and around the VDL site in Born. The Province and the industrial family business from Eindhoven have set aside no less than 25 million euros for this purpose. For VDL, this amounts to 10 million euros. The Provincial Executive of Limburg has proposed to the Provincial Council that 15 million euros be set aside for the future development of the industrial estate and related developments. Of this amount, €5 million can be spent on additional nature and quality of life in the areas adjacent to the site in the municipalities of Echt-Susteren and Sittard-Geleen.
VDL Groep and the Province of Limburg have signed a letter of intent to find an alternative use for the VDL site in Born. The aim is to jointly facilitate a range of (innovative) developments that offer plenty of opportunities for the VDL site, thereby serving the interests of the Limburg economy and the Limburg manufacturing industry and further increasing employment.
VDL will continue to develop the site in Born in the areas of sustainable mobility, new battery and energy systems, manufacturing (including high-tech), and the defense industry (including drones). It is clear that VDL is committed to a broad use of the site in Born with the plans that are being explored and prepared.
Positive impact on employment
Willem van der Leegte, President and CEO of VDL Groep: “We have always had confidence in the future of our location in Born. That is why we continue to invest, including in Born and the surrounding area. This collaboration with the Province of Limburg marks a powerful initiative that will transform our location in Born into a sustainable, autonomous production site for the national and European high-quality manufacturing industry, with a positive impact on employment and the economy. We are in talks with the province about where these millions will be invested. The starting point is to stimulate innovation, employment, and quality of life at the VDL site in Born and the surrounding area.”
Strengthening Limburg's economy
Stephan Satijn, Deputy for Economy, Finance, Business Operations, and Public Affairs: “The development of the VDL site in Born is of great importance to the Limburg economy. It is good to see that VDL is making efforts to develop plans for this site that will fully exploit the potential of the location. The planned production of military equipment on part of the site fits in seamlessly with the Limburg Defense Agenda. Together with the Ministry of Defense, we are looking at opportunities in our province to meet defense requirements. With VDL, we are taking steps forward to provide space for defense activities and, at the same time, we are working on an innovative Limburg manufacturing industry that strengthens our regional economy and is indispensable to the Netherlands."
The €15 million that the Provincial Executive proposes to reserve to promote developments on and around the VDL site in Born comes from the remainder of the ‘old’ program budget ‘Gebiedsontwikkeling VDL Nedcar’ (VDL Nedcar Area Development).
Consequences of termination of the Anterior Agreement (AO)
VDL Nedcar and the Province of Limburg have mutually agreed to terminate the so-called Anterior Agreement (AO) concluded in 2020 concerning the ‘VDL Nedcar Area Development’. As a result, the plans for the construction of a ring road and the realization of the grade-separated junction on the south side of the industrial estate have been shelved for the time being. The termination of the Anterieure Agreement has no direct consequences for the Environmental Plan of the municipality of Sittard-Geleen. Although the previously planned expansion of the VDL site and associated infrastructure modifications will not go ahead, agreements with the municipalities of Sittard-Geleen and Echt-Susteren on nature compensation and quality of life funds remain in place and will be implemented. The Ministries of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure and Water Management had also pledged financial contributions to the 2019-2020 ‘VDL Area Development’ program. The province is in talks with these ministries to retain these previously pledged amounts for future developments on and around the VDL site in Born.