A special municipal economic enterprise in Bnei Brak
constitutes a breakthrough in the areas of hi-tech and
industry, which it will hopefully promote throughout Bnei
Brak.
Three years ago, Bnei Brak's municipally decided to found an
economic company to accompany various financial projects
meant to stabilize the city's fiscal situation by providing
jobs and taxes on developed real estate. The city budget
suffers from large financial deficits due, in part, to the
relative poverty of some sectors of its population. The
decision to establish the company remained on paper, however,
and no progress was made in this direction.
When Rabbi Mordechai Karelitz assumed the office of mayor
about a year ago, preference was given to the promotion of
large-scale plans for hi-tech industry and other economic
initiatives, especially in the northern part of the city.
Within this framework, the mayor decided to take a number of
practical steps to make the company operative as soon as
possible.
The following was stressed at the board of directors' first
meeting: The Company will spur the setting up of new
industrial sites and offices, especially in the city's north.
It will promote economic ventures throughout the city. It
will initiate plans for building a special sheltered
residence for the elderly in the Pardes Katz neighborhood, to
include more than 100 dwelling units, of 30-40 square meters
each.
Today, many local councils throughout Israel successfully
maintain such separate economic companies, whose purpose is
to initiate and promote special projects not included within
the municipality's regular sphere of activities. The
municipality's varied departments are responsible for the
city's daily functioning, whereas an economic company can
focus on economic development from a more comprehensive
perspective, in conjunction with the various municipal
departments, thereby spurring the growth of various economic
enterprises.
