Hamina entrepreneurs and city representatives visiting Orimattila
Led by Hamina Mayor Ilari Soosalu, representatives of the City of Hamina and Cursor Oy, as well as entrepreneurs from Hamina, visited Orimattila on Thursday, October 9.10. The goal of the day was to learn how the city has promoted business friendliness in its own operations.
In 2022, the city of Orimattila was last in its region in the national Municipality Barometer survey, which measures business friendliness, for example, and is organized for entrepreneurs every other year. The survey measures entrepreneurs' perspectives and experiences on business services, business friendliness, and procurement policy.
Based on the results, the city of Orimattila began targeted work to raise its ranking in the 2024 survey. Ultimately, Orimattila was the most entrepreneur-friendly municipality in its area in the 2024 Municipal Barometer survey. Orimattila Mayor Kalle Larsson and Vitality Director Sara Vilander and Business Coordinator Tytti Ritala presented practical measures for meeting entrepreneurs, dialogue with stakeholders and communication measures. The open discussion on cooperation and development between cities and entrepreneurs was very rewarding.
The day had three dimensions. First, the fact that we did this introductory trip together with entrepreneurs. Second, it is always good to go and get to know other people's operating models and learn from them, it is not worth making the same mistakes if they can be easily avoided, and third, we noticed that we are already doing a lot of good things together in Hamina, but there is always room for improvement.
Ilari Soosalu, Mayor of HaminaAt the end of the day, the group visited the Ruskovilla company, where CEO Ossi Näkki spoke about the family business's operations since 1981. The company manufactures, among other things, wool and silk products and the products are sewn in its own sewing workshop in Artjärvi, Orimattila.
A total of 13 participants from Hamina took part. According to the entrepreneurs, the day particularly highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship.
We received confirmation of the idea that the city's vitality and, above all, its economy are based on companies. The majority of jobs are in companies, whether they employ a sole proprietor or large companies employing dozens or even hundreds of people. The responsibility for smooth cooperation lies with both the city and the entrepreneurs. It is also important for elected officials to understand the importance of entrepreneurship for the city's vitality. Together we can create a more vibrant Hamina.
Sini Huhtala, Chairman, Hamina Entrepreneurs AssociationSanna Vapalahti, a board member of Kehittyvä Hamina ry, says that the day brought up many things that still need to be improved in Hamina.
Many companies have good connections to the city, while others feel they are ignored. Most of the companies are very small but still employ at least one person. That is significant.
Sanna Vapalahti, Developing Hamina AssociationThe National Municipal Barometer Survey for Entrepreneurs will be organized again in 2026. 75 entrepreneurs from Hamina responded to the Municipal Barometer Survey in 2024, and development measures have been identified, including developing procurement policy, developing business-friendly decision-making, and communication.
Hamina's goal is to rank in the top 10 cities in its size category in the 2026 Municipal Barometer Survey, up from 42nd place in 2024.