The council of El Morell has recently received approximately 14 million euros, resulting from the construction license granted to Repsol for the building of its Ecoplanta. This amount, which surpasses the annual municipal budget of around 11 million euros for a town of 3,900 inhabitants, is being carefully planned for its management.
“"We will not overextend ourselves. We had been working for many years in anticipation of these funds."
Among the projects already underway or planned, the construction of an assisted living residence for the elderly stands out, which will complement the existing day center. Furthermore, in February, the construction of a covered multi-sport court next to the municipal pavilion began. The recovery of the Granja dels Frares, a site linked to the Cistercian route and the Santes Creus monastery, will also be promoted.
In the realm of micro-urbanism, 1 million euros will be allocated to an asphalt paving plan, over 400,000 euros to sidewalk improvements, and 800,000 euros to the renovation of children's parks. These initiatives will be executed during the current year. Improvements are also planned for streets in the old town, the water network, and a plan to modernize public lighting to LED technology in almost the entire municipality.
This economic injection will allow El Morell to undertake significant urban investments that, without these funds, would not be possible within a single legislative term. The municipality, which currently has one of the lowest debt ratios in the region (around 20%), has chosen not to amortize all its debt, but rather to invest part of the funds in a fixed plan with banking entities that will generate semi-annual returns for future investments.
Beyond the construction license, the commissioning of the Ecoplanta, scheduled for 2029, will lead to an increase in annual long-term revenues through the Economic Activities Tax (IAE). These additional funds will be allocated to expanding the municipal brigade, which will grow from 10 to 22 people, and to the Municipal Guard staff with two additional agents. The Ecoplanta, with an investment of 800 million euros, will transform urban waste into renewable fuels and circular products, with a processing capacity of 400,000 tons annually.
