RUS in Älvsbyn: “The opportunities outweigh the challenges”

May offered an early summer day when stakeholders in Älvsbyn gathered to talk about the future – the potential that exists, the difficulties to overcome and the strengths that we may be blind to at home. – There are not many municipalities that can match our offer, said municipal councilor Johan Dahlqvist (M) during the workshop about Norrbotten's new RUS.

Like many municipalities in Norrbotten, Älvsbyn struggles with prejudices such as empty homes just waiting to be populated and a lack of jobs. In fact, the lack of housing and labor is among the municipality's biggest challenges.

- "We have a lot to offer but no housing. It's not a problem that can be easily and quickly solved," said Johan Dahlqvist.

The fact that property prices in Älvsbyn are relatively low is a double-edged sword. Those who live cheaply stay for a long time. No moving chain is started. And a newly built single-family home is worth less than it cost on the day you move in.

- We also have difficulty getting anyone to build new apartment buildings, because the rents are so much higher than in the old homes, said Sofia Lundberg, head of the community development office.

Broaden the labor market

There is a shortage of almost all types of workers in the labor market. But for Älvsbyn it is important to broaden the labor market.

- We have quite narrow fields of work with specified professions, towards the coast there is more choice, said Linda Öhlin, Secretary of Culture and Leisure.

High school teacher Katarina Nord, cultural secretary Linda Öhlin and Sebastian Wredenberg from Sparbanken Nord reflected on, among other things, what provides quality of life in Älvsbyn.

To broaden the labor market and become more attractive, we must also work on gender equality.

- We have a preponderance of male-dominated professions. We need to rethink and break this male-dominated job supply, said Johan Dahlkvist.

“We are a hub”

The municipality is pleased that they are one of four municipalities in Norrbotten that had grown in the latest survey. And despite the challenges, there are many reasons to look positively at the future. Even though Älvsbyn is not currently an establishment municipality, the development is spilling over into the municipality.

- The opportunities outweigh the challenges. We are a hub. The green transition is happening in our labor market region, we are 30 minutes to Boden, a little further to Skellefteå, 45 minutes to Luleå. We have future copper mining in Laver, there is too much there to let it remain when Europe needs to become more self-sufficient, said the municipal manager Anna Lindberg.

Municipal Mayor Anna Lindberg and Municipal Councilor Johan Dahlqvist (M) gave a picture of the opportunities and challenges that Älvsbyn faces.

The security situation and NATO entry also play a role.

- The Vidsel base is one of those designated in the agreement with the US and NATO, it will affect us.

Älvsbyn is getting better and better grades in the business ranking and has climbed from 6th to 3rd place in the county. It starts with talented UF companies and today the municipality has a high proportion of young entrepreneurs.

- "It is an entrepreneurial municipality, many young companies, many talented people in the construction sector. There is a lot of capital to work with, a lot of infrastructure investments, energy expansion and land development," said Sebastian Wredenberg from Sparbanken Nord.

“Easy to step over the threshold”

Municipal manager Anna Lindberg believes that entrepreneurship is partly based on the fact that it is cheap to live.

- It's easy to step over that threshold and become an entrepreneur. You don't have to put all your capital into a place to live, so you can buy some machinery and get going.

The municipality has the large companies Älvsbyhus and Polarbröd, but also many smaller ones. Some are stationed here but carry out work in other locations, which provides stability – not all eggs are in one basket. But there is hope of attracting more investment to the municipality.

- "We have detailed land plans ready, we have the energy. It's a huge opportunity. Not many municipalities can match our offer," said Johan Dahlkvist.

What creates quality of life in your municipality? is one of the questions to discuss during the RUS dialogue.

“We must think together”

"Despite all the opportunities, the weak population growth remains a problem for the future. It is common to Norrbotten and we must seek common solutions," said Dahlqvist.

- If we can't get residents to move here, it's better for them to move to another municipality in Norrbotten, we have to think together. One municipality can't do that, we have to help each other.

To get people to move to Älvsbyn, the range of culture and leisure activities is important. Älvsbyn has a new swimming pool, slalom slope and many clubs.

- "There are over 100 clubs here, we should be proud of that. It's so easy to be home-blind and take it for granted. We even have a club for historical fencing," says Viktoria Viklund from a local football club.

Cultural school for all ages

But the range of options can be strengthened even further. The group that discussed cultural issues made many suggestions.

- Cultural schools for all ages, cultural guarantees, making it easier to run an association. Producer support for cultural schools and associations, cultural grants for employees just like the health care grant, said Linda Öhlin when she recounted the workshop discussion.

Infrastructure was also seen as a key to good development in Älvsbyn and surrounding municipalities, as participants looked ahead to 2040.

- In 2040 we will have expanded charging infrastructure and a 110-km road standard in place. You won't have to worry about range. It will make it possible for more people to get an electric car and for us to have electric trucks. But support and financing are needed to solve this. The municipalities may take some of the costs, but that is a risk. What if we invest in the wrong thing? Are we investing in electricity when hydrogen is the thing?, said Carina Roos about the group's discussions.

Carina Roos and Anna Lindberg worked in a group that discussed infrastructure, among other things.

- It's a difficult balancing act, the municipalities easily end up with Svarte Petter and have to bear the costs. It becomes a catch 22: you need electric cars to build charging but you don't want to buy electric cars unless the charging is in place, said Sebastian

Regarding the 110 road standard, the group talked a lot about NATO and Vidselbasen. There will be demands for improvements, so maybe it will be possible to join hands with the defense. With a better road standard, it might be possible to get to Piteå in 30 minutes – that would make a difference.

Springboard

Robert Granström, a player in the car testing industry, is concerned about the low level of self-sufficiency in northern Sweden. He sees the CHARM Food Lab project in Älvsbyn as a good example: it aims to become a knowledge hub for the food of the future and work with sustainability issues, innovation and growth. In his group's vision for 2040, CHARM Food Lab has become a springboard towards a bright future.

- The food lab provided education, it landed in research and development. We will be number 1 in the business ranking in the county. We got a lot of people moving in, found new financing channels, it increased net exports, he said.

- The hardest thing was to think new thoughts and dare to fail.

Summary of input from Älvsbyn

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
Photo: Sara Stylbäck Vesa, Tove Cullhed