Limburg has doubts about the contribution of 1.75 million to the relocation of DSM

A large majority of the Provincial Council in Limburg does not necessarily want to contribute to the relocation of the DSM head office from Heerlen to Maastricht. The provincial government has earmarked 1.75 million euros to contribute to the relocation costs of the chemical giant, but this development is controversial in the province.

30 of the 47 members of the provincial council in Limburg are opposed to the financial contribution of the province. They want an extra meeting about the moving costs on September 9, reports 1Limburg. “Before that time, that money should in any case not be transferred,” they demand in a letter to the provincial government.

DSM announced last week that it would build “a new, sustainable, modern and inspiring head office” in Maastricht. “The new office will be a visual translation of DSM’s culture and underpin the company’s hybrid way of working in a clubhouse-like environment where people can meet and collaborate,” said the company.

‘Debt of Honor’

In Heerlen was immediately disappointed with the imminent departure from the head office. The municipality spoke of a debt of honor because the company has been located in the city for more than a century.

There is also disappointment and criticism in the province. “There is a strong feeling of ‘they take everything away from us’ in the region”, say Member of Parliament Anne Marie Fischer (50Plus). “But if DSM wants to leave Heerlen, they will have to pay for it with their own money.”

No ‘quality boost’

A majority in the Provincial Council agrees with her. In the letter to the provincial government, senders point out that the 1.75 million euros comes from a provincial fund that is intended to give a quality boost to the centers of villages, small towns, neighborhoods and districts.

“Making business relocations of multinationals possible was not a priority and therefore does not fit in with the framework established by the Limburg Parliament”, according to CDA, PVV, SP, SVL, Forum for Democracy, Party for the Animals and 50Plus, which together represent 30 of the have 47 seats.

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