Local service development

Within the project, grocery store owners, farm shops, and other actors will be offered support to find new forms of service for increased profitability. Many retailers are considering extending their opening hours by making the store partially unmanned, but it can also involve offering a coffee corner, charging station for electric cars, tourist information, or something completely different. The project also offers extended support and advice to ”collaborative entrepreneurs,” for example, when a community association wants to start a store. Networks with farm shops and grocery store owners, as well as highlighting good examples, will be an important part of the project.

The target group is grocery store owners, farm shops, and local groups that want to develop services outside the urban areas of Oskarshamn, Mönsterås, Hultsfred, Högsby, Västervik, and Vimmerby municipalities.

The long-term goals include:

• A resilient and sustainable countryside with functioning services and more jobs in the area.
• Better economic sustainability for local service companies.
• The local economy grows, more money stays and is spent in the countryside.
• Increased attractiveness and engagement among both residents and tourists.