Things
Law 30 December 2021, n. 234, containing "State budget forecast for the financial year 2022 and multi-year budget for the three-year period 2022-2024", in consideration of the significant impact linked to the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19 and the needs to protect and relaunch the production chain of the Prato industrial district, attributed to the Municipality of Prato an extraordinary contribution of 10 million Euros for the economic support of companies in the textile sector of the Prato industrial district - as identified by the Tuscany Region with resolution 21 February 2000, n. 69 – for collective studies, research and supply chain projects. With a decree adopted on 5 August 2022 by the Minister of Economic Development, in agreement with the Minister of Economy and Finance, the methods for disbursing the contribution, criteria for the selection of financeable programs and activities, eligible expenses as well as methods were defined. verification, control and reporting of expenses incurred using the same contribution. Pursuant to art. 3 of the Decree the financial allocation referred to in Law no. 234/2021 is divided as follows: -8 million euros for direct contributions to businesses, to be assigned through specific tenders; -2 million euros for the implementation of system projects of interest to the district. The Municipality of Prato has identified the Pistoia-Prato Chamber of Commerce as the entity managing the public tenders for the granting of contributions to companies referred to in the aforementioned Decree. With notice approved by Chamber of Commerce Resolution n. 027/23 of 8 March 2023, the terms and methods for submitting grant applications are defined, as well as further elements useful for the correct implementation of the intervention, with reference to a first tranche of benefits for a maximum amount of €4,000,000, 00 (four million) aimed at improving the socio-environmental sustainability of production.
Who is it aimed at?
Companies operating in the textile sector which are part of the Prato industrial district.
What does it predict
The subsidy promotes the implementation of investment projects aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of production processes and/or reducing energy supply costs which include one or more of the interventions indicated below: a) energy efficiency improvement of the production process as well as of auxiliary systems to productive activity; b) installation, for self-consumption purposes only, of renewable source systems, including accumulation and storage systems; c) installation of cogeneration – trigeneration – auxiliary production systems; d) installation of energy management and monitoring systems; e) modernization of electrical substations and installation of uninterruptible power supplies; power factor correction interventions and installation of voltage stabilization systems (power quality). The benefits, in the form of a non-repayable contribution, are granted in an amount not exceeding 70% of the eligible expenses in relation to the size of the business (micro-small business 70%, medium business 60%, large business 50%). The benefits are granted pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation 18 December 2013, n. 1407/2013/EU, relating to the application of articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to "de minimis" aid and subsequent amendments.
