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The ELY Centre offers comprehensive services for both small and big companies and is involved in every stage from developing business ideas to helping companies reach out to international markets.
Creating opportunities The ELY Centre seeks innovations and initiatives. THE GOAL of Kaj Suomela, Director of the ELY Centre in Vaasa, is to find enterprising people with an innovative business idea that could both create jobs in the region and succeed out in the world. “We constantly keep our eyes out for entrepreneurs with a new philosophy. It is naturally in our interest to support ideas with the potential to employ masses. As for
innovative approaches, we can contribute with many more resources, as long as we find the right idea and entrepreneur,” he explains. Developing the countryside and cities
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According to Kaj Suomela, the ELY Centre has the resources to invest in new and innovative business ideas. “We constantly keep our eyes out for entrepreneurs with a new philosophy.”
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The ELY Centre supports the region’s companies from cradle to grave. “We aim to help companies grow and do well. This means we are responsible for every type of business support and help companies sell the actual product. We hope to see international and outwardoriented entrepreneurship in our region,” says Suomela, who considers Ostrobothnia to be a vigorous environment for entrepreneurial activities. “We are located in the middle of a versatile region that is considerably more industrialised than the country on average.” Vaasa boasts an energy and technology cluster, while Pietarsaari is known for pulp and paper, as well as metal companies and small enterprises. Kokkola, in the north, is home to the chemical, metal and metallurgical industries, while southern Ostrobothnia is characterised by its greenhouse sector.
In support of youth culture Maintaining a vital Ostrobothnia, but above all offering a dynamic environment for young people, are other primary goals for the ELY Centre. “We naturally want young people to return here and therefore try to ensure that the region offers opportunities and visions,” says Suomela. “This means we boost the things that are important if people are to enjoy themselves and feel good. We help to maintain sports facilities in good condition, promote services needed by families with children, and advance cultural and after-work activities in communities.” c
the ely centre (centre for economic development, transport and the environment) Tel. +358 20 636 0140 info.pohjanmaa@ely-keskus.fi www.ely-keskus.fi/pohjanmaa Business sector: Promoting entrepreneurship, the functioning of labour market, preservation of a vital countryside, competence and cultural activities Employees: 130
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