Kilometre 0 initiative flourishing

HUERCAL-OVERA’S covered market, unused after a €1.5 million makeover by the previous corporation, has adopted a new role.

Re-named Comercial Kilometro 0, the renovated market building began trading in September with 37 businesses paying a minimal €75 rent for stalls. Twenty six were start-ups aided by a town hall initiative aimed at boosting local commerce. The scheme has been so successful that Huercal-Overa town hall has once again set aside €100,000 to be split into €2,500 allocations for new businesses inside the town.

More than 120 people have already benefited from the scheme, said Employment councillor, Monica Navarro: “The figures reflect the improvement in the town’s economy, with a registered fall in unemployment of more than 200 in the last year.” Her department is already making plans for next year’s allocations, the councillor announced. “As we explained when we launched the first call for participants, we aim to provide not only economic resources but also help with training, courses and workshops.”