News briefs from Hamburg Metropolitan Region

Lüneburg: Start-ups and SMEs have joined Leuphania University’s Trans-Nation Co-Creation scheme in Lower Saxony, which is funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research. Entrepreneurs share their ideas with drivers of innovation and make valuable contacts with scientists during practical workshops. The highlight is a four-day trip to Silicon Valley. The closing date for applications is 20 December 2024.

Bispingen: The Karls chain is building a new 40,000 square metre adventure village in Bispingen, a town in the Lüneburg Heath. Everything revolves around strawberries; the adventure villages are known for their rides, workshops and restaurants. Dr Jens Bülthuis, Mayor of Bispinen, stressed:  "Karl's Adventure Village will enrich the tourist attractions in Bispingen enormously." The town already has a go-kart track and indoor ski centre. Construction is due to start in 2026 and the adventure village will open in 2027, creating up to 250 jobs in the medium term.

Krempe: The family-run Butzkies Stahlbau  is building a 3,750 square metre, state-of-the-art production plant in Steinburg at a cost of EUR 7.5 million. The roof in Krempe will be fitted with a photovoltaic system. The state of Schleswig-Holstein is providing EUR 770,000 in funds. Claus Ruhe Madsen, Minister of Economics, said at the ceremony: "The money is well invested, as the company is securing its almost 160 jobs in the region and is equipping itself for competition at the right time." Butzkies Stahlbau builds industrial halls for the automotive industry as well as event halls, stadiums and cruise ship terminals.

Schwerin: Hooperella, a company based in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has produced the world's first hula hoop made entirely from recycled plastic, the company says. The hula hoop is made from production and construction waste or beer crates thereby saving resources and turning waste into new products. Hula hooping is a great way to get fit. The hoops work your abdominal and back muscles and get your cardiovascular system pumping. Start swinging that hoop!

Mecklenburg-West Pomerania: Young people in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania want good wages/salaries, fun at work and a secure job, according to a survey by the employers' association Nordmetall, which also asked companies about their priorities. Most value motivation, diligence and reliability, as well as the ability to work in a team. Young people are willing to show commitment, the survey found. More than half said they would be willing to work paid overtime. And how rooted are young people in north-east Germany? Some 53 per cent said they would like to work in the region in the long term.
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