This factor has had a decisive influence on its development in recent times. In the 30 years since the change of regime, the population has more than doubled. The increase is mainly made up of people moving out of Pécs and commuting to their workplaces there daily. The city has created the conditions for receiving new investments (settling in) and is developing its own economy with great effort.
Transport and logistics
Kozármisleny is an ideal location from a logistics perspective, as it lies between the B57 road linking Pécs and Mohács and the M60 motorway. The Pécs-Kelet motorway junction is just 5 km from the town centre, whilst Pécs city centre is 7 km away. The most important transport corridor for the town is the 578 main road, which connects the eastern bypass of Pécs and the 6 main road with the M60 motorway. The road is busy, of good quality and well maintained.
Kozármisleny does not have its own rail link, but due to its proximity to Pécs, this does not pose a significant problem. Passenger traffic is handled via Pécs main station (only 8 km away), from where there is a direct rail link to Budapest, and via the capital, essentially to the whole world. Freight transport: the Pécsbánya marshalling yard – located roughly 4 km away – provides facilities for the rail transport of heavy goods.
Pécs-Pogány Airport – one of the country’s five airports – lies just 10 km from the city. There are currently no scheduled flights, but aircraft with a maximum capacity of 46 tonnes can essentially provide a direct air link to other European destinations. This represents a significant advantage for companies with international parent companies.
The standard of local bus services is adequate, despite the fact that Kozármisleny is not considered a regional centre, with most services merely passing through. The connection with the most important destination, – Pécs – the connection is excellent, with buses running every 5–10 minutes during certain times of the day. In addition, services also run towards Szederkény–Mohács and Újpetre–Villány–Siklós. From other parts of the county, these towns can only be reached via a change of bus, travelling via Pécs. The current timetable was clearly not designed to allow a large number of commuters from nearby villages to travel to work in Kozármisleny.
Infrastructure and public services
In Kozármisleny, the high standard of local public services is a significant advantage for the town. The infrastructure covers all necessary areas and is in good condition. The road network within the town is of a high standard. As a result of the town’s recent expansion, many new streets have been built, but thanks to regular maintenance, the older ones are also in good condition. A cycle path runs through the town along its north-south axis.
The coverage of linear utilities (water, gas, electricity, sewage, broadband internet) is 100%, and the network is constantly being expanded in the newly populated streets. The town’s waterworks are owned by two companies. Drinking water is supplied by DRV Zrt., a regional provider operating in six counties, whilst tasks relating to sewage collection and treatment are carried out by Tettye Forrásház Zrt. and the Pécs sewage treatment plant. There is no district heating service in the town.
Kozármisleny belongs to the Pécs district, so the various district-level offices – food chain safety and animal health, public health and employment departments, as well as the government service centre – are only located in the county town.
Only primary healthcare is available in the town, in the form of two GP practices each for adults and children, and one dental practice. Patients can access specialist clinics in Pécs, and those requiring hospital care are also referred there.
Local educational institutions include a crèche, a nursery school and a primary school. The crèche is attended by 296 children and the nursery school by 614. The buildings have recently been renovated, are in good condition and are equipped with modern facilities. Secondary education institutions are located in Pécs. Alongside nationally recognised grammar schools, a wide range of vocational training opportunities await students, who can continue their studies at the local university.
Key economic players
The economy of Kozármisleny is primarily focused on industry and logistics. Pécs, as a regional hub for employment and research and development, exerts a significant influence and clearly attracts larger companies. The local economy is therefore dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises that are domestically owned and, for the most part, have roots in Kozármisleny. The vast majority are companies engaged in retail trade, whilst the number of manufacturing and production companies is gradually increasing.
Without claiming to be exhaustive, here are some of the more important local businesses:
- Unikomtech Gép Kft. – a Hungarian-owned company specialising in the distribution and repair of municipal machinery (mowers, snow ploughs, refuse collection vehicles, and amphibious railway track maintenance vehicles).
- KWS Magyarország Kft. – a Hungarian-owned company specialising in the breeding, cultivation and distribution of seeds, which operates a sunflower breeding station in the town.
- Pannon Busz-Rent Kft. – a Hungarian-owned company engaged in bus hire and passenger transport by bus;
- SM-Huzal Kft. – a Hungarian-owned company manufacturing wire fences and fence mesh;
- Márkus Kft. – a company that has grown out of a Hungarian-owned small business and is engaged in the licensing, manufacture and distribution of multi-fuel boilers and metal containers
Areas designated for economic purposes
Kozármisleny does not currently have a developed industrial park, but its geographical features and land ownership situation make it possible to establish one. The local council’s urban development strategy focuses on the economic utilisation of the areas south of the town, situated in the immediate vicinity of the motorway junction. The first steps towards this have already been taken.
The local council has designated the area for the industrial park in the sections south-west of Kossuth Lajos Street, where it has already purchased a significant amount of land. Development of the site is underway; so far, a company site and a 4×499 kW solar power plant have been established, and a new pair of bus bays has been constructed. These investments will hopefully attract further businesses. The existing infrastructure (roads, utilities) enables companies to establish their premises. In addition to attracting local businesses, there is a need to encourage investment and attract growing companies to the area.
The area suitable for industrial use currently covers 15.8 hectares, creating ideal conditions for medium-sized enterprises employing up to 200–300 people.
The town’s aim is to assist and support the activities of economic operators engaged in production and generating high added value. The utilisation of alternative, renewable energy sources plays an important role in this. The construction of the solar power plant was the first step towards achieving these goals. Since then, photovoltaic systems have appeared on the roofs of numerous public buildings – including the sports hall and the nursery school – demonstrating the commitment of Kozármisleny’s local government and residents to sustainable energy sources.
The objectives of the local development strategy include a business incubator to facilitate start-ups, the construction of which is expected in the near future.
The local market provides sales opportunities for agricultural entrepreneurs and primary producers. The potential of the farmers’ market has not yet been fully exploited, and further development is needed.
Economic support and tax policy
Our most important incentive is our policy of selling land at reduced prices. In the industrial area developed south of Kozármisleny, the local council sells plots to interested investors at below market price – in some cases for a nominal sum. In exchange for this discount, they must undertake and fulfil investment and employment obligations.
To boost competitiveness, the local council keeps the local business tax rate below the statutory maximum. The tax rate is currently 1.6% of the tax base, which is the second-lowest rate among towns outside the county seat.
The town does not levy building tax or land tax. Furthermore, tourist accommodation providers are not subject to tourist tax.
Local authority investments
Kozármisleny’s stated primary role is to provide housing, which is why the development of existing residential areas and the creation of new ones remain a long-term priority amongst its stated objectives. On properties within the town centre, the local council is continuously developing and selling building plots, for which it first constructs roads, pavements, public utilities and rainwater drainage systems.
Cycling infrastructure and well-planned tree-planting schemes in public spaces are aimed at creating a liveable environment. This group includes smart city innovations such as free public Wi-Fi hotspots, smart benches and a mobile app designed for residents.
Alongside infrastructure developments, we place great emphasis on local community life and improving the quality of locally available services. Our aim is for residents to be able to access as many services as possible locally, and to have to travel to the county town, Pécs, for as few matters as possible. In recent years, the range of cultural programmes and sporting opportunities available has expanded, and funding has also been secured for the necessary infrastructure, such as property development. Plans for the near future include, among other things, the construction of a municipal swimming pool and a health centre.
