Koźmin Wlkp. - A Town of Green Areas and Investment Opportunities

Koźmin Wielkopolski is located in the south-west part of the Wielkopolska region, on the Oder River and on the right side of the Barycza River. The first written record of Koźmin dates back to 1232. It was granted a town chart in 1318, and in the 15th c, Koźmin was one of the Wielkopolska region's major towns. It was also a venue for occasional uprisings in the times of the Spring of Nations and the Wielkopolska Uprising. In the years 1887-1932, it was a county capital.
 The town and municipality of Koźmin cover an area of 153 sq. m. and are inhabited by approximately 14,200 people, seven thousand of whom live in Koźmin Wlkp. In addition the Jarocin - Wrocław route runs through the town and municipality.
 Many interesting sights reflect the long history of the town, among them a 14th c.  castle rebuilt in the 16th c, which currently houses agricultural schools and the Museum of the Koźmin Region, a 15th c. St. Wawrzyniec's Church, a 17th c. Bernadine Order Complex, St. Trinity
wooden church built in 1570, and a Jewish cemetery. The old part of the town with its narrow streets and beautiful tenement houses has its own unique charm.
 What strikes every visitor to Koźmin Wlkp is the cleanliness of the natural environment and the abundance of green areas. Three

parks in the center and a recreational grove on the outskirts, which can be reached by walking and biking paths, are located in the town. The Powstańców Wielkopolskich Park (Park of the Wielkopolska Uprising's Participants) in the downtown area is famous for its unique alley of hornbeam trees.
 Other attractions include recreational facilities, an open-air swimming pool, sports grounds, tennis courts and sports halls. Care for its greenery is a deeply rooted notion in the minds of local residents, which is best proved by their willing participation in an annual competition entitled 'Koźmin Wlkp.-the Town of Flowers and Greenery'. Also, participation in annual cultural and sports events, including the Festival of Koźmin Wlkp. (held in June), Festival of St. Wawrzyniec - the Town's Patron (in August), Koźmin Choir Meeting (in June), National Maciek's Run (in October) and the Koźmin Wlkp. Open Table Tennis Championship (in December) provide unforgettable experiences.
 Koźmin not only is an attractive place to live and relax, but also to invest in.

 Among its major advanta-ges is a well-developed municipal infrastructure starting with its water system with a modern water purification plant, gas network, digital telephone network and cellular telephone relay station to its efficient sewage system and ecological municipal landfill. 
Three banks: Bank Spółdzielczy, PKO BP and WBK S.A. render their services in Koźmin. In addition, an absorptive job market and rich educational infrastructure are indisputable advantages of the town.
 The MECH-ROL-PLAST (manufacturer of ceiling coffers and foamed polystyrene trays), ADPAL (a wide offer of candles), LEGE (manufacturer of cardboard boxes) PRO-MET (manufacturer of equipment for environmental protection), and theNasycalnia Podkładów (railroad tie treating plant) play a leading role in the local economy. Municipal authorities are open to all forms of investment and offer buildings and sites to be developed. They also provide assistance in purchasing sites, for example, of a 10 ha, located along the Jarocin-Wrocław route, and a 10 ha territory owned by the treating plant. In addition, historic structures situated in the Koźmin Wlkp. municipality include palaces in Orla and Staniewo and a former manor house in Serafinów are for sale.
 In 1999, Koźmin obtained a diploma from the Council of Europe for its activities promoting European integration and active cooperation with the Dutch municipality of Drimmelen and the German municipalities of Bellheim and Bad Tennstedt. Thanks to this cooperation, the municipality has obtained financing from the Polish-German Cooperation Fund for completion of work on and furnishing of a modern junior high school. On the other hand, the cooperation provides opportunity for investors to establish relations with companies from abroad.
 Koźmin Wlkp. is also active on the national arena. It is a member of the Association of Municipalities and Counties of the Wielkopolska Region, the Association of Healthy Polish Towns and the Association of Polish Towns.
 The Town is also one of the founders of the Association of the Municipalities on the Oder River and the Inter-Municipal Agreement providing for the protection of watercourses in the Barycza River basin, which aims to facilitate the obtaining of European funding for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant.