Support for high tech start-ups

Bremerhaven is a seaport town on the North Sea coast of Germany. The Urban II area is situated north of the city-centre and covers an area of 326 ha and a population of almost 23 000. With the decline of the traditional shipbuilding and fish-processing industries, small shops, local service-oriented businesses, and, sadly, vacant stores have become the dominant features of the local economic landscape. Large parts of the harbour area have turned into industrial wastelands and the rate of unemployment and the poverty level are now well above the city average. In some areas more than 25% of the inhabitants live on welfare. The crime level has also increased, mainly as a result of an increase in drug-related offences. The Technology Park 'T.I.M.E. Port' project forms part of the overall programme for the regeneration of the URBAN II area. The project aims to stimulate the development of a sustainable IT sector by supporting small businesses that are rooted in the local community. Project activities include the renovation and conversion of the old ‘Imperial Mail’ office to create the new T.I.M.E. Port enterprise centre. When completely occupied, total employment in the T.I.M.E. Port will be at least 60 people. Its location on the harbour front should also encourage further redevelopment of the area. Cooperation with the nearby polytechnic and other local institutes, will encourage the development of an alternative, future-oriented economic structure that will attract other external IT companies to set-up in Bremerhaven. An innovative feature of the project is the establishment of a ‘T.I.M.E. Port' management, which will not only deal with managing the building, but will also be involved in recruitment and training activities, and maintaining contact and co-operation with the local community and the District Management regarding the overall development of the area.