Leiria region businesses face funding shortages for Storm Kristin recovery

Approximately 100 companies in the Leiria region of Portugal are facing financial uncertainty after the 'Linha Reindustrializar' support fund ran out of money. These businesses, many of which were affected by Storm Kristin, submitted eligible applications for recovery aid but were unable to secure funding due to a lack of available budget.

Jorge Vala, president of the Intermunicipal Community (CIM) of Leiria, has called on the Minister of Economy and the Banco Português de Fomento to provide additional financial reinforcement. Vala warned that while some companies are using private funds or bank loans, those in weaker financial positions face a risk to their continuity, which could significantly impact the regional economy.

In response to the impacts of Storm Kristin, the Municipal Water and Sanitation Services (SMAS) of Leiria are also implementing resilience measures. The agency plans to invest approximately half a million euros to purchase around 16 mobile generators to ensure service continuity during power outages. Additionally, SMAS is studying investments in redundant radio communication systems to maintain internal operations if telecommunications networks fail during energy disruptions.