Mass Media Overview
10 facts about Vologda, Russia
31.07.2012 12:30
http://www.modernrussia.com/
September 21, 2011
The city of Vologda has recently transformed into a manufacturing center, sparking the interest of foreign companies and investors. Modern Russia provides some key insight into this burgeoning city.
1. General information
The city of Vologda has a population of more than 300,000 people and is located on the Vologda River about 285 miles north of Moscow.
2. Main industries
Machine building, food, lumber and textiles comprise some of Vologda‘s main industries. More than 40 percent of the city’s economy is made up of mechanical engineering and metal working businesses, establishing Vologda as a large machine building center in Russia’s northwest region.
Aside from machine building, Vologda is renowned for two things: its lace and butter. Vologda‘s linen and lace has gained popularity in the fashion world, attracting the interest of many designers, with officials expecting to see continued production growth in this sector. Nearly a third of the city’s production is attributed to food production, which includes bread, sausages and its patented and one-of-a-kind Vologda butter.
3. Premier location: "The Gateway to the North"
Forbes magazine ranked Vologda as one of Russia’s 30 most attractive cities in terms of business climate and contributions from foreign investors. Often dubbed “The Gateway to the North,” Vologda is an attractive city to companies and investors because of its strategic location between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Foreign companies like Nestle have come to the region due to its convenient geographical location and local workforce. Nestle currently owns a production facility in Vologda and constantly invests in the factory to provide new tastes and products for its local consumers.
4. Transportation: A northwestern hub
As a large transport hub, Vologda is located on the crossroads of key air, rail, auto and waterway routes. The city is at the junction of the north-south and east-west railways and is the largest sorting and transit location on Russia’s Northern railway.
5. Investment climate: "A Comfortable City"
The city administration is working on reducing barriers to attract large companies and investors to Vologda, supporting new businesses and expediting registration and licensing processes. The city launched its own 2020 strategy, “Vologda: A Comfortable City,” which outlines major initiatives and projects to help build a robust investment climate.
6. Wireless broadband
Service provider Signal Limited installed a public access network using a Motorola wireless broadband network, and companies in Vologda are reaping the benefits with enhanced productivity.
7. Recent developments
- Investment. As part of the Vologda’s 2020 strategy, the city formed the Council on Science, Innovation and Investment that includes representatives from the education, science, business and political sectors. The Council’s aim is to promote open dialogue for innovative ideas in these sectors. The city is also currently developing an online investment portal, which will serve as an informational resource for investors and will include details about potential investment projects, open spaces and the equipment used by Vologda’s big businesses.
- Infrastructure. During his address at Vologda’s 864th birthday celebrations in June, Governor Vyacheslav Pozgalev announced a number of upcoming infrastructure developments, including road repairs and new housing projects.
- Hospitality. The city’s hotel business has grown significantly in the past few years. Until recently, visitors had a choice of only one hotel; today, visitors can now choose between 29 of Vologda’s newly built hotels.
8. Sports stadiums
Vologda locals are big fans of winter sports. The city houses large sports and concert complexes and is home to the male soccer team Dynamo and the female basketball team Chevakata.
9. Education institutions
Vologda is home to a number of higher education institutions with a focus on business, science and technology, including the Vologda Institute of Business and the Vologda branches of the St. Petersburg State University of Engineering and Economics and the International Academy of Business and Technologies.
10. History: Culture capital of the North
Unlike other regional cities, Vologda has preserved its history and culture. It is considered the cultural center of northern Russia, boasting of its theaters featuring productions of Russian classics as well as its popular museums and tourist sites. It has become the site of international events including the European film competition “Voices” and “Vita Lace,” an international lace festival.