The Government delegate in Cantabria, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, today presented a detailed report on the main initiatives and projects that the Government of Spain is carrying out in the region, highlighting the "historical investment" of European funds and national programs aimed at transforming and strengthening the socio-economic fabric of Cantabria and modernizing infrastructures.
As detailed, Cantabria has received 437.2 million euros from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for investments in housing, sustainable mobility, renewable energies, restoration of ecosystems, renovation of public buildings, education, professional training, inclusion and social services. To date, 14,770 companies, institutions and citizens have benefited through the European Next Generation Funds.
Through a statement, Gómez de Diego has stressed the "undoubted positive effect" that these funds are having on the growth of the economy and the impulse to the transformation of the productive model, with a focus on digitalization and energy transition.
The delegate pointed out that in Cantabria 21 emblematic projects are being developed with a public investment of 128 million euros, among which she has highlighted the improvement of sustainability and access to the Port of Santander (9.4 M€); the Bahía H2 Offshore initiative for the production of hydrogen and ammonia in the port (5.7 M€); the decarbonization of the plants of Solvay Quimica and Enso Esco SL in Torrelavega (30.1 M€), as well as the development of electric mobility in the SEG Automotive factory (10.5 M€), among others.
As an example of this drive to digitize and support SMEs, Gómez de Diego also referred to the Kit Digital program, which "has so far benefited 4,670 companies with an investment of 19.9 million euros."
In addition, 13.5 million euros have been allocated to the implementation of the Tourism Sustainability Plans in Destinations by local entities and 3 million euros in aid for social sustainability, energy efficiency and digitalization of the tourism sector, "an important sector in the regional economy".
On the other hand, the delegate recalled that Cantabria has received this year "the largest financing in its history" with 2,329.1 million euros in account deliveries, as well as 121 million euros from the Financing Fund to autonomous communities.
Strengthening the welfare state
"Strengthening the welfare state in Cantabria is another key priority for the Spanish Government," said Gómez de Diego. Thus, 24,500 people have benefited in 2024 from the increase in the SMI to 1,134 euros per month; the Minimum Vital Income has helped 16,193 people in the region, and 131,581 pensioners have seen their pensions increased under the IPC.
To this, the delegate has added the growth of the Spanish economy and the generation of employment, which "is in record numbers". In the specific case of Cantabria, the number of people affiliated to Social Security has increased to 234,006 in June, of which 186,100 are workers with indefinite contracts.
"The Labor Reform has had an enormous benefit for the working class, reducing precariousness and temporality in employment," he said.
In addition, the Government has invested 1.8 million euros in the programme to promote schooling in the first cycle of Early Childhood Education and 1.1 million euros in the modernization of Vocational Training. "Since the start of the Recovery Plan, a total of 702 Early Childhood Education places and 3,897 Vocational Training places have been created in the community," he said.
In the area of the fight against gender violence, Cantabria has received 2.1 million euros under the State Pact against Gender Violence and 0.6 million euros for autonomous programs aimed at victims of gender violence and sexual violence. In addition, a comprehensive 24-hour care center for victims of sexual violence has been launched in Santander. “Our commitment to equality and the fight against the scourge of gender-based violence is unwavering,” she said.
As for housing, Cantabria has received 138 million euros to develop various programs, such as rental subsidies, the rehabilitation of publicly owned homes and buildings and the construction of public housing.
And to face the demographic challenge and strengthen territorial cohesion, Cantabria has received 0.7 million euros for the deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructures and 7.1 million euros for the provision of 5G mobile communication services.
Infrastructure and mobility
Finally, in this balance sheet of compliance with the commitments of the Government of Spain, the delegate has referred to investments in infrastructure, highlighting that in 2023 alone the record figure of 250 million euros of public works tendering was recorded.
As he has detailed, 933 million euros have been mobilized in rail transport from the Cantabria Commuter Plan, reaching 70% of the 1,341 million euros planned to modernize infrastructure, stations and rolling stock. The investment plan to improve the metric width network in Cantabria reaches 600 million euros, with almost 74% already activated.
In the State Road Network, a conservation and exploitation contract worth 16 million euros has been awarded for 148 km of roads, and another contract worth 23 million euros has been awarded for the conservation of 118.9 km of roads.
In addition, a conservation contract has been awarded for 13.9 million euros for 41 km on the A-8 motorway and several sections of other roads. And he also referred to the "important advance" in the works of the Nudo de Torrelavega and the Desfiladero de la Hermida, as well as the beginning of the works for the construction of the third lane on the motorway linking Santander and Torrelavega.
"The Government of Spain, through its policies and European Funds, is promoting the socio-economic modernization of Cantabria, improving the lives of its citizens and promoting sustainable economic growth. The commitment of the Executive of Pedro Sánchez with Cantabria is reflected in the continuous support to companies and the reinforcement of the welfare state. The Government of Spain complies with Cantabria", concluded Gómez de Diego