Pielinen Karelia

Pielinen Karelia is situated in Eastern Finland – next to the Russian border. The first part of the area’s name comes from lake of Pielinen – which is 5th biggest lake of Finland (894,21 km2). Second part of the area’s name comes from Karelia – which means bigger area situated between Finland and Russia. In Finland we use term Seutukunta – Pielisen Karjalan seutukunta – maybe the best translation for this is subregion of Pielinen Karelia. In practice it means uniform working area – meaning area where people are living and working naturally. 

 

    

 

 

Existing industry and areas of business are quite wide ranging:

- The biggest employer is service sector (municipalities, social services, health service, accommodation and restaurant services, trading)

- The biggest branch of Lieksa and Nurmes is wood refinement - 721 262 jobs in Pielinen Karelia (2006)

- The biggest branch of Valtimo is metal industry - 262 jobs in Pielinen Karelia (2006)

- The biggest branch of Juuka is stone industry - 734 jobs in Pielinen Karelia (2006)

 

Pielinen Karelia Development Center Ltd

 

Board of Company – 7 members (3 Lieksa, 3 Nurmes, 1 Valtimo)

 

Managing Director Dr. Asko Saatsi

 

Working tasks of organization are divided in five processes:

1.       Advice and consulting processes of companies – Account manager Tiina Ihalainen

-          Advisers – 2 persons

2.      Process of Project management – Program Manager Jani Karjalainen

-          Coordinator / (Terminator) of International projects Veli-matti Hurkainen

o    Project Managers- 7 persons

o    Project Secretary – 1 person (50 %)

3.      Process of regional marketing – “Developer” Jukka Nevalainen (also developing of Rural areas)

o    Project Secretary – 1 person (50 %)

4.      Supporting processes - Office secretary Paula Kettunen

o    Office secretary 2 Sisko Määttä

5.      Strategy and planning processes – Dr. Asko Saatsi

 

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Pikes is shortening from words Pielinen Karelia Development Center Ltd. (Not related to fishing industry) Pielinen Karelia Development Center is owned and established by three municipalities of Pielinen Karelia – Town of Lieksa owns 41 shares (49,4 %), Town of Nurmes owns 32 shares (38,6 %) and Commune of Valtimo owns 10 shares (12,0 %). Our main task is to be leader and initiator of Development and Growth of our area. In order to achieve this we: 1. Advice and support for existing and new companies, 2. Carry out and plan development projects for companies, co-operatives and municipalities, 3. Do regional marketing, 4. Do municipal planning tasks and projects, 5. Create new business activity in the region, 6. Support and enhance areas of regional interest

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- Annual turnover 1 700 000 € (876 000 € from Municipalities 37 €/inhabitant, 250 000 € from State of Finland, 400 000 from EU and 100 000 € from companies. Main office is located in Nurmes, other site in Lieksa

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