Category: General
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The North Karelia Metal Industry Expert Network has been launched — one application opens the door to several companies
A new way of connecting metal industry experts and employers has been launched in the Joensuu and Outokumpu regions. The North Karelia Metal Industry Expert Network brings together six significant industrial companies in the region: David Health Solutions Oy, Hanza Oy, Kirike Oy, Mantsinen Group Ltd Oy, Outokumpu Metalli Oy and Premetec Oy. The network is coordinated by HR Mentor Oy. The idea of the network is simple: a metal industry expert submits one application and…
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The city council received a Municipal Barometer certificate from the entrepreneurs, approved the financial statements and decided on the sale of the properties
The Outokumpu City Council convened on June 8, 2026. At the beginning of the meeting, the results of the Finnish Federation of Entrepreneurs' Municipal Barometer were presented to the council. The Municipal Barometer provides current information on companies' views on the operations and vitality of municipalities and serves as an important tool in developing the local business climate. The experts included CEO Merja Blomberg from the North Karelia Entrepreneurs' Association and Chair Anne-Mari Karttu from the Outokumpu Entrepreneurs' Association. Outokumpu is the best entrepreneurial municipality in North Karelia in the latest Finnish Federation of Entrepreneurs' Municipal Barometer. In addition, the city…
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Outokumpu became the best business municipality in North Karelia – a huge leap in the national comparison
Outokumpu is the best entrepreneurial municipality in North Karelia in the latest Finnish Entrepreneurs' Municipal Barometer. In addition, the city rose to sixth place in the national comparison of small municipalities - improving its ranking by as much as 49 places. The Finnish Entrepreneurs' Municipal Barometer is based on responses from almost 12,000 entrepreneurs from all over Finland. The survey was carried out in early 2026, and it is the most extensive of its kind to date. 357 responses were received from North Karelia, which is a clear increase on the previous measurement…
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Kummun Kodi will have a new CEO from the beginning of June.
Jarkko Karvonen has been elected CEO of Kiinteistö Oy Kummun Kotie and will start his position on 1 June 2026. Karvonen already serves as the City of Outokumpu's Urban Structure Director. The Outokumpu City Council decided to separate the duties of the CEO of the Outokumpu Region Industrial Village and Kummun Kotie — the change will respond to the increased needs for business development and clarify the management of the companies owned by the city. In Outokumpu, the development of business operations, the expansion needs of companies and the possible start of mining operations require a previous…
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The city council discussed the initiative on unemployment and vitality – several measures already underway
The City Council discussed the annual summary of council initiatives at its meeting. A total of nine council initiatives were submitted in 2025. Eight of these have been completed either in 2025 or 2026. The only initiative that was still open was the council initiative of the Outokumpu Social Democratic Council Group “High unemployment rate and decreasing industrial jobs” (29.9.2025 § 78). The initiative expressed concern about the unemployment situation in Outokumpu and the decrease in industrial jobs, as well as a proposal to appoint a business agent…
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The city council discussed the Industrial Park's loan arrangements, preparedness and city marketing.
The Outokumpu City Council convened on Monday, February 23, 2026. The meeting discussed, among other things, the financing arrangements for the loans of Outokumpu Regional Industrial Park Ltd, council initiatives and current issues of the city. The City Council decided to grant a grace period of EUR 1,250,000 (qualification of February 28, 2022, Section 16) and EUR 1,500,000 (qualification of October 30, 2023, Section 73) for the loans granted to Outokumpu Regional Industrial Park Ltd for installments due in 2026. The loan period will be extended by one year for both loans.
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Youth employment guidance emerged as an important activity in the network operators' employment workshop
The city of Outokumpu invited network actors to a workshop on January 20, 2026 to consider solutions to reduce unemployment in the community. Based on the overall picture formed by the actors' speeches, solutions were sought in workshop discussions. Supporting young people and guidance into working life came up the most. Complementary services from municipalities are increasingly important Riikka Vartiainen, Director of the North Karelia Employment Region, described the entirety of employment services and said that almost 18,000 job seekers are customers, of whom just over 11,000 are unemployed. The state…
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Outokumpu's local sudden structural change coordination and development project PÄRM received an extension and a new project manager
The PÄRM project measures support strengthening the workforce's skills and re-employment in companies in the area. During 2025, employer and employment trainings organized for companies have reached over 100 employees of companies operating in the Outokumpu Industrial Village. In addition, the project measure completed a study by VTT on Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in Mine Backfill. The PÄRM project was extended until 31 December 2026. – In the coming year, the key functions of the PÄRM project are small group training tailored to companies and the employer pool…