21.11.2024 /// A new municipal bathhouse will appear in the Yamal town of Tarko-Sale thanks to the preferential regime of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF). It will be built by AZRF resident, Investgeopur, a company founded by local entrepreneurs Evgeny Filippov and Andrey Ostryagin. The estimated volume of investments will amount to RUB 160 mn, and 38 jobs will be created.
The idea of the project realisation was literally in the air: for many years, the city bathhouse was invariably popular among local residents, but a few years ago, the building became dilapidated, deteriorated and was demolished.
'City officials and businesses have teamed up to bring this project to fruition. As a resident of the AZRF, we were granted a plot for the investment project out of bidding—it was a great help for the start of the project,' said Evgeny Filippov.
»The bathhouse will get a capital building as early as 2026. There will be men's and women's sections, an area for large groups, massage tables, showers and a café with snacks and drinks. In addition to the traditional steam room, Investgeopur plans to equip a hammam. For Yamal, the soft and rich steam of a traditional Turkish bath can be a welcome variety and a gimmick.
The project has not only a commercial but also a social function. 'Bath culture in the North, on the territory of the YNAA is vividly pronounced. People who live in our harsh climate very often turn to this type of leisure,' notes Evgeny Filippov, adding that the new city bathhouse will provide benefits for some categories of citizens, which will increase the availability of services for residents.
The city bathhouse has been a recreational centre for local residents in the past, and in the future will be an anchor project that expects to welcome guests from neighbouring areas as well. 'Having analysed the data on past bathhouse customers, which was provided to us by the administration of the Purovsky district, we concluded that our main customers are local residents who live not only in Tarko-Sale but on the territory of the Purovsky district as a whole. These were both everyday visits and the weekend format, when people joined groups for the weekend and went to relax in a bathhouse,' notes Evgeny Filippov.
Today, the investor is designing the building and procurement. Thanks to the extensive warehousing capabilities in the Purovsky district, Investgeopur was able to purchase and deliver a substantial amount of equipment and construction materials in advance to ensure continuity of construction for the next two years.
'Of course, like any entrepreneurs, we want to realise the project early. This is good for the population, and we do not increase the terms, which always entails additional costs,' said Evgeny Filippov. In parallel with construction, another important issue will be addressed—staff training. The entrepreneur plans to educate and train employees from among local residents, as well as to attract workers from neighbouring areas on a rotational basis.
»The bathhouse construction project was able to get started due to the incentives available to AZRF residents. 'The most useful preferences for us were zero land tax and 5% profit tax for 5 years, as well as 75% compensation of insurance premiums for the first ten years,' emphasised Evgeny Filippov. He said the preferences will allow the project to 'get on its feet' and move toward development.
Anastasia Zhuk, Deputy Director of the Department of Investment Project Implementation Support of the FEDC: 'The state at all levels—federal, regional and municipal—supports business in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Residents pay taxes at reduced rates and have access to a wide range of non-tax benefits. These include simplified obtaining of land plots for project implementation and assistance with business staffing. FEDC supports investment projects at all stages from planning to full implementation and creates the most favourable conditions for entrepreneurship in the Arctic zone.'
At the moment, there are 864 registered residents in the AZRF with a total declared investment volume of RUB 919 bn. New companies create 27,700 new jobs. In the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, residents of a special economic zone are offered a 75% subsidisation of insurance premiums for the first 10 years and a preferential income tax rate of 5% for the first 5 years.
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