Gera invests 57.5 million: a budget decision with far-sightedness!

Gera invests 57.5 million: a budget decision with far-sightedness!

On November 12, 2025, the Gera city council took a decisive step for the future development of the city: the budget for 2026 was approved with a total volume of over 400 million euros. As gera.de reports, the budget statute was approved by a majority and clearly focuses on a significant expansion of investment activity. The planned investments amount to around 57.5 million euros, which is the highest level in recent years and represents a whopping increase of around 47 percent compared to the previous year.

Mayor Kurt Dannenberg praised the decision as a strong sign for the future of the city. “We have shown a good hand in shaping our financial scope,” says Dannenberg. The financial basis for this balanced budget is based largely on the “1 billion euro investment program” of the state of Thuringia, which is intended to provide municipalities with more money between 2026 and 2029. Gera will receive a total of around 41.3 million euros in this context, with 26.9 million euros planned for 2026 and 14.4 million euros for 2027.

Important projects for the city

The budget provides for numerous important projects that are intended to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Gera. The investment package includes, among other things:

• Baufortführung des Bildungscampus Lusan
• Sanierung der Schulsporthallen
• Erneuerung der Radrennbahn
• Ausbau des ÖPNV, zum Beispiel am Gleisdreieck Wiesestraße
• Straßeninstandsetzungen, unter anderem an der Freitag- und Gessentalstraße
• Hochwasserschutzmaßnahmen an Bieblacher Hang und der Wipse
• Verbesserung der Infrastruktur für das Amt für Brand- und Katastrophenschutz
• Planungen für den Neubau einer Leitstelle sowie für die Sanierung des Kultur- und Kongresszentrums

These investments not only contribute to improving the infrastructure, but also create new jobs and a lively business location. The planned investments in schools, culture and digitalization also reflect the desire to make Gera future-proof.

Financing models for municipal investments

The support from the state is no coincidence: Thuringia's Finance Minister Katja Wolf recently presented a new financing model that aims to provide municipalities with more resources for local infrastructure projects. Money will flow in the form of direct grants and cheap loans. [finanzen.thueringen.de](https://finanzen.thueringen.de/aktuelles/medieninfo/detailseite/deutliches- Growth-der-Investmentmittel-fuer-kommunen-durch-das-land-thueringen-statt-in-den-naechsten-jahren-die-kommunen-mit-mehr-geld-fuer-Investen-aus) explains that the intention is to ensure a better distribution of funds and the application for these To make the means as uncomplicated as possible. In the coming years, municipalities can count on around 250 million euros per year to cover local needs.

In summary, it can be said that with this budget resolution Gera is taking a bold step towards a promising future. The numerous projects and investments are not only necessary, but also an expression of a clear commitment to positive urban development. The cooperation between the city administration, the city council and the state of Thuringia will play a crucial role in successfully implementing these plans.