Based on the analyses and feedback from the participation process to date, six key fields of action have been identified in which specific projects are now to be planned and implemented: Education and skilled workers, business development and administration as enablers, networking and knowledge transfer, space and infrastructure, resource efficiency and the identity and image of the location.
Initial project ideas were also presented at the meeting. These include a targeted communication campaign to attract international skilled workers, a feasibility study on the establishment of an international school in the district and approaches to strengthen networking between companies and science in the field of digital technologies. Further project proposals are currently being specified and prioritized with the project participants. The future strategy is to be written down in summer 2025 and finally presented to the Environment and Technology Committee in the fall.
Ludwigsburg district defines agenda for economic future
Over the past few months, the focus of the strategy process has been on a comprehensive data analysis and identifying the need for action from the perspective of companies and local authorities in the district of Ludwigsburg. This enabled the experts to comprehensively assess the initial economic situation and the dynamics of transformation in the district. One important finding is that more and more companies in the district see innovation potential in future fields such as new digital production technologies and intelligent transportation solutions and are already making use of them. At the same time, however, it also became clear that many companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, are facing challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers, unclear market prospects and a lack of innovation infrastructure.
High location costs and limited space capacities for commercial and residential construction also hamper the wide range of development opportunities. "For the future of the Ludwigsburg district, it is essential to secure the long-term competitiveness of the business location, actively shape the transformation and tap into new growth potential," says District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier.
The future strategy was designed and implemented by the district economic development agency together with experts from the consulting firm VDI / VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH. The strategy process follows a participatory approach that, in addition to data-based analyses, relies in particular on the broad involvement of companies, municipal stakeholders, institutions and the economy. The aim is to develop an agenda for
economic development of the district and to define concrete measures to support companies in times of structural change. "In order to shape the business location of the future, we need close cooperation between all stakeholders at the location. That's why we involved local authorities, important institutions and the business community right from the start," says district economic development manager Oliver Reichert.
250 stakeholders from business, administration and science involved
Since the start of the process in summer 2024, around 250 stakeholders from business, administration and institutions from the labor market and education world have been involved in various participation formats. These have included a large kick-off event, a strategy workshop with representatives from administrations, municipalities, institutions and chambers, an online company survey with around 190 participating companies and a company workshop with 15 companies from future industries. Most recently, in the "Future Workshop" together with municipalities and institutions from the district and the Stuttgart region, central needs for action were translated into concrete project ideas, which are now being further developed with those involved.
An important element of the strategy process is the support provided by expert committees. The Sounding Board, which is made up of board members and management from major companies in the district such as Bosch, Dürr, Porsche and Mann+Hummel, contributes the entrepreneurial perspective. In addition, the Steering Committee of the District Economic Development Agency with representatives from local authorities, chambers, the employment agency and the Stuttgart region ensures a consistent focus on the needs and feasibility of measures.
