For the first time in the district's history, the unemployment rate fell to below 6 per cent in June 2018. This means that fewer than 6,000 people are registered as looking for work. For the district's economic development organisation, this is a reason to celebrate, but not a reason to take a break. The challenges of the future demand that the course is set today to maintain the economic strength of the district. These include securing skilled workers, company succession, electromobility, improving infrastructure, digitalisation and broadband expansion, designating commercial areas and developing the Strausberg Technology Centre (STIC).
Rainer Schinkel, the district's economic councillor, wants to create the conditions for providing commercial space with good infrastructure connections for companies that want to grow or relocate.
"We need new business locations, which are difficult to find in the immediate vicinity of Berlin. Together with the respective municipalities, it makes sense to create the planning conditions in Rehfelde or Tasdorf. The development axis from west to east along the B5 / B1 and the eastern railway can be the driving force behind new settlements. To achieve this, we also need better rail connections, greater capacity and better frequencies as far as Seelow-Gusow, or at least as far as Müncheberg. I am also convinced that the broadband expansion planned for the entire district over the next few years will open up new opportunities and prospects, especially for rural areas."
The Managing Director of STIC Wirtschaftsfördergesellschaft Märkisch-Oderland mbH, Andreas Jonas, emphasises:
"In addition to the lack of space, the shortage of skilled workers is now the number one problem for almost all companies. We realise that many companies are not yet sufficiently prepared for the increasing shortage of skilled workers. However, the problem must be tackled urgently. Economic development can currently provide effective support with the help of subsidies. We also see great potential in commuters to attract skilled labour to companies in Märkisch-Oderland."