The municipality of Vihti and Vihti Entrepreneurs Association have signed a vitality pledge for the current council term. The vitality pledge was signed on 26 October at the 50th anniversary celebration of Vihti's entrepreneurs at the Kuoppanummi school centre. With this pledge, the municipality and the entrepreneurs' association commit themselves to promoting an entrepreneur-friendly atmosphere and strengthening Vihti's vitality.

- An important common goal is to further strengthen our municipality's attractiveness and holding power. We are now working even harder to achieve this through the Living Well Pledge," says Erkki Eerola, Mayor of the municipality.

The Living Promise defines five priority areas that the municipality and the business association will work together to implement. The implementation of these objectives will be monitored annually.

The priorities of the Living Wage promise are:

  1. Effective dialogue: the municipality and the business association are committed to an active dialogue with the business community. The municipality and the business community are committed to an active dialogue with the local authorities.
  2. Smooth planning and permitting processes: permitting and planning processes must be smooth. Planning projects should be smooth and permit and planning procedures should be smooth. Business views and ideas are taken into account at an early stage in the preparation of planning projects.
  3. Entrepreneur-friendly procurement: where possible, the municipality divides procurement into packages that allow micro and small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in tenders. Procurement should include market dialogues to the greatest extent possible where the subject of the procurement so requires.
  4. Business impact assessment: the decision will take into account the impact on the business environment in accordance with the guidelines established by the municipality.
  5. Encouraging entrepreneurship and using the municipal barometer: The municipality and the entrepreneurs' association are committed to promoting an entrepreneur-friendly atmosphere and image of the municipality in their activities and interactions. We monitor the results of the Finnish Entrepreneurial Association and other municipal barometers and develop measures based on the results.

The pledge was signed by Leevi Pursiainen, President of Vihti Entrepreneurs Association and Chairman of the Municipal Board, Jaakko Kuula and Esko Palin, Vice Presidents of Vihti Entrepreneurs Association, Eerikki Viljanen, Chairman of Vihti Municipal Council and Erkki Eerola, Mayor of Vihti Municipality.

There are currently around three thousand businesses in Vihdi. Microsoft also chose Vihti: the data centre, which will be built in the Rosti business park in the South Nummela workplace area between the Turku motorway and the old Turuntien, will be a major employer during the construction phase and, when completed, will be one of Vihti's most important employers.

- Vihti offers many interesting opportunities for businesses. We have a strong entrepreneurial culture and active investment in the future of business makes Vihti the perfect place to locate. Our business strategy also has a clear vision: Vihti is the most attractive municipality in Uusimaa for growing companies," Eerola continues.

Signature of the Vitality Pledge, photo by Henrikki Halme.

The Vihti Entrepreneurs Association awarded the most distinguished entrepreneurs of Vihti at its 50th anniversary celebration. K-citymarket Vihti Nummela retailer Antti-Jussi Kivi and A-J Kivi Oy are the entrepreneurs of the year 2024. The Lifetime Achievement Award for 49 years of entrepreneurship went to Pekka Halme of Ajardos Oy. Monica Paavilainen and Hair Index Oy received the Diamond Cross for 40 years of entrepreneurship. Kyllikki and Petri Forsius of Hautaustoimisto Oy and Juha Ojala of Ojamart Oy received the Diamond Cross for 30 years of entrepreneurship. The Diamond Cross for 20 years of entrepreneurship was awarded to Kimmo Eräranta of US-Asennus Oy, Henrikki Halme of Veikkola Manor, magician Henri Kemppainen, Jari-Heikki Laine of Fennolink Oy and entrepreneur Roope Rinta-Seppälä of KiroCenter Oy Ltd. The awards were presented by Jussi Pirhonen, Vice President of Finnish Entrepreneurship, and Leevi Pursiainen, Chairman of Vihti Entrepreneurs.

Did you know?

Vihti Municipality's business and economic services serve and support companies developing their activities with attractive business areas, functional premises and customer-oriented business advisory services. We work together in accordance with our V-to-B model: one-stop-shop, immediate, individualised contact and service.

We offer personal, free and confidential business advice services to all businesses and those planning to start a business. The advisory services enable you to start your business in a planned way and support you in carrying out your business activities in the municipality. Advice is also available for those planning to become entrepreneurs by continuing an existing business, for example through a takeover.

More information about the advice offered by Vihti Municipal Enterprise Services