Fight for survival: Ottensheim threatens economic orphan!

Fight for survival: Ottensheim threatens economic orphan!

The economic situation in Ottensheim is currently under an unfavorable star. Above all, the Klein- und Mittelbetriene in the oldest market town in the Mühlviertel Kattle with a noticeable decline in customer frequency on the market square. One reason for this is the closure of the "Zur Post" inn, which contributed to the orphaned Linzer Straße. According to the current observations, the afternoons are particularly quiet from Monday to Wednesday on the market - a fact that is heavily stressed by the local companies.

The marketplace currently has little operation. Apart from the "Albergo" pizzeria and the cafe of the Gillhofer bakery, many local opening times have a lot of local opening times. For example, the "Schwarzer Adler" inn is only open from Tuesday evening to Friday. For bike tourists who are often in transit, it becomes a challenge to find a real lunch, as many companies are closed and schnitzel or local food are hardly available.

The role of small and medium-sized companies

The meaning of the Klein- und Mittelbetriebe (SME) should not be underestimated. They form the backbone of the Austrian economy and employ around 2.5 million people. Around 99.7 % of all companies in the market -oriented economy of Austria are SMEs that make a significant contribution to added value. However, the current situation is worrying: the real added value has dropped again in 2024, which makes the prospects for 2025 appear to be not very optimistic.

Another problem that cannot be ignored in Ottensheim is the theft that recently hit the Bikeshop Einrad. Two e-bikes worth 10,000 euros were stolen there. But that's not all: Even the summer sale of the shop should not be overlooked, which offers attractive prices for bicycles and e-bikes and has the potential to attract more customers.

Hope for improvement

The call to support local companies is more urgent than ever. The reopening of the “Zur Post” inn in autumn could give the community new swing. The challenges in front of which the companies are facing are the result of economic upheavals and changed consumer habits. Many SMEs in Austria have used support services in the past three years to offer environmentally friendly products or services and adapt to the new time.

In this sense, the Future of the SME in Austria with greater support from funding programs and through the breakdown of regulatory hurdles a new course. These measures are crucial to achieve the climate goals and to stabilize the economic foundation of the region. In Ottensheim the question remains open: Will the community be able to revive its town center?