# Benevento local economic growth dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/benevento-local-economic-growth-dispute > Updated: 2026-10-25T15:16:12.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. A political dispute has emerged in Benevento regarding the accuracy and scope of local economic growth claims. The local administration, led by Mayor Clemente Mastella, has asserted that the city has reached the top position in Italy’s national rankings for business growth rates, climbing from 14th place to 1st place. Councilor Luigi Ambrosone defended these results by citing data from CGIA di Mestre and Prometeia, contrasting current GDP and employment indicators with the “catastrophic” conditions seen prior to 2016. In response, the Benevento Democratic Party (PD) has challenged these assertions. The PD argues that the administration is misrepresenting data by citing business registration and closure balances across the entire province of 78 municipalities rather than the city of Benevento alone. The party contends that provincial growth has actually lagged behind the national average, noting that while Italy’s business index rose significantly since 2016, the province of Benevento saw much lower growth. Furthermore, the PD highlighted recent business losses in the province, claiming the area experienced its worst performance in the Campania region during the first quarters of 2024 and 2025. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: Benevento reaches first place in national business growth rankings Benevento has reached first place in Italy's national business growth rankings, according to Councilor Luigi Ambrosone, marking a significant economic climb for the city. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benevento-reaches-first-place-in-national-business-growth-rankings ### 2026-10-24: Benevento Democratic Party disputes local economic growth claims The Benevento Democratic Party has criticized Mayor Mastella's claims of economic excellence, arguing that provincial business growth has significantly trailed the Italian national average over the last decade. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benevento-democratic-party-disputes-local-economic-growth-claims --- Cite as: Benevento local economic growth dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/benevento-local-economic-growth-dispute