About Człuchów

Człuchów is recognized in Pomeranian as an area of dynamic and sustained social and economic development, attractive to industry and business, with modern and efficient agricultural and forest cultivation as well as various forms of tourism.

Człuchów is one of the regions of Poland possessing outstanding natural beauty. Protected areas cover ten percent of the area's total surface. In addition, there are thirteen nature reserves. Large forested areas predominate 48.5% of the total surface area of the locale, including significant tree stands and plentiful ground cover, rich in mushrooms, blueberries and game. Numerous lakes offer diversified coastline, abundant creeks and islands. Swimming and camping are convenient. The Lobelia lakes situated in the wilderness of ancient forests are stunning. These post-glacial lakes contain crystal clear water wit flora like the rare plant, Lobelia dortmanna. Several of these lakes hold are reserves including Krasne Lake and Przechlewo District.

The county is located in the southwest part of Pomeranian Province, not too far from Gdańsk. It is adjacent to three Provinces: Zachodniopomorskie, Wielkopolskie and Kujawsko-Pomorskie. Some key traffic routes:

• route no. 22 - Berlin - Kaliningrad,
• route no. 23 - Koszalin - Człuchów - Bydgoszcz - Warsaw

The population of the area is app. 58 thousand people, including 29,500 women. Forty-two percent live in towns. Population density amounts to 37 persons/km2. Człuchów constitutes the core of local authorities. Apart from county offices and subordinated units there are the regional court, the Regional Prosecutor's Office and tax offices. A well-developed banking network also exists.

Tourism, agriculture, food- and wood-processing as well as commerce are the main development trends. There are 3377 businesses registered across Człuchów district. Local authorities provide a stimulating environment for small and medium enterprises. Tax exemptions for investors, in particular those who build premises, are available. Two "green" industrial parks in the towns of Kiełpin (Człuchów district) and Cierznie (Debrzno district) as well as the Incubator - Entrepreneur Center in Debrzno, stimulate local business activities and seek new investment.
Evidences of this pro-active attitude are the prospering family companies like Road Work Enterprise PEERDE, Radpol SA, Manufacturing Enterprise POLSTYR Sp. z o.o., a producer of PVC goods and REMPRODEX Sp. z o.o., a producer of farm machinery. There are also joint-venture organizations (Meat Plant PRIME FOOD Sp. z o.o., Przechlewo; Farm Enterprise POLDANOR S.A., Przechlewo - producer of pork, PROMET, Ględowo - producer of spare parts for automotive industry or PKT Polska, Zagórki - producer of plumbing installations and steel structures). To date the district has initiated cooperation with other countries; the city of Człuchów with German cities of Uslar and Konstant and the French city of Conches; Czarne district with the German district of Langlingen, Debrzno with Weinbach, Germany and Przechlewo district with Germany's Gramzow district.
The cooperation is based on exchange of administrative experience, celebrations, folk festivals and sports events. The Association for the Development of the City and District of Debrzno and The Association for the Development of the City and District of Czarne have been established. The Association of Człuchów Merchants acts on behalf of merchants and craftsmen in the district

The city of Człuchów covers 1248 hectares (ha) including:

A Statistical cross section of the city is provided by the city planner in the chart below; circa 2003.

Business activity

Człuchów is a city of service and industrial character. The largest plants are the following:

•  RADPOL S.A. - producer of heat-shrinkable tubes
•  "POLSTYR" Sp. z o.o - production of plastics
•  "REMPRODEX" Sp. z o.o - production of farm machinery,
•  Regional Diary Cooperative,
•  DESPRO Sp. z o.o. - production of mufflers,
•  Magnus Sp. z o.o - IT services,
•  Okna PCV Zenka s.c. - production of windows,
•  Construction and Design Office "Pro-Bud" - construction services,
•  Commerce and Services Enterprise "Duet",
•  Przedsiębiorstwo Komunalne Sp. z o.o,
•  Road Work Enterprise "Peerde" Sp. z o.o.,
•  Installation and Engineering Works Enterprise "Instal" ,
•  Public Grocery Cooperative "Społem",
•  Craftsmen's Cooperative "Novena",
•  STAPOL Sp. z o.o - production of windows and doors,
•  SŁABUD Sp. z.o.o. - garment sewing.

Business structure:

Unemployment numbers (as at December 31, 2003):

•  Unemployed – 1889 including 978 women,
•  Entitled to benefit – 503 including 229 women,
•  County unemployment rate – 34,5 %.

Specification	Total number of unemployed	Number of unemployed women
Age
18 - 24	499	251
25 - 34	483	260
25 - 44	422	243
45 - 54	434	210
55 - 59	41	14
60 - 64	4	-
Education
university	101	66
secondary school and technical high school	133	247
general high school	170	114
vocational high school	839	374
pre-high school and lower	346	177
Total work record
up to 1 year	362	246
1 - 5	358	192
5 - 10	261	134
10 - 20	309	171
20 - 30	287	105
30 years +	23	2
none	282	134
Generally	1809	970