SYKTYVKAR, February 21. /TASS/. The number of Arctic business residents in the Komi Region grew by 8% in 2024, to 37, and the region reports another 94 potential business residents. The biggest projects are a carbide and ferroalloy plant due in Inta within six months, a pipe plant and Arctic data centers, the region's My Business Center told TASS.
"Now, there are 37 Arctic business residents in the Komi Region, one of them received the status right in early January (8% growth year-on-year - TASS). For now, the biggest project is the carbides and ferroalloy plant, which is due to be launched in the first half of this year in the city of Inta. Investment in the plant has reached 472 million rubles ($5.2 million), and 109 people have been employed, the products will be of high demand in metallurgy and other industries," the center told TASS.
Another major project, implemented by a business resident, is the Arctic Pipe Plant in Usinsk, which will produce spiral-wound corrugated metal pipes to be used in construction, the road industry, and in industrial production. Investments are planned at 189 million rubles ($2.1 million), the business will create two production lines and will offer 21 workplaces. Commissioning is due in 2029.
Social sector
The House in the Forest project is the construction of glamping sites, which are of high demand in the Usinsk District. The company will build modular houses in a wooded area, investments will make 6 million rubles ($66,000), and commissioning is due in 2026. This is Komi's second Arctic business resident in tourism. Earlier, Veronika Tretyakova of Vorkuta has received the status of an Arctic business resident, purchased equipment and organized new hiking, water sports routes in the Vorkuta Region and in the Polar Urals.
"One of social projects to be highlighted is the reconstruction of the Tomlun cinema house in Usinsk - it is the only cinema in the city that has been closed for upgrade. The Nord-Holding Company plans to re-open the cinema in 2026," the center said.
The region has reported 94 potential business residents. One of them plans to obtain the status and create data centers in the cities of Inta, Usinsk and Vorkuta by the end of 2026, and additional data centers later on in the region's other municipalities. Another investor plans to commission in 2026 in Vorkuta a facility to process reindeer offal, where investments are 1.2 million rubles ($1,314). A plant to make reinforced concrete products and asphalt for landscaping is planned to be built in Inta. Other projects are in catering and services, like for example, a pastry shop and a Northern peoples cuisine restaurant in polar Vorkuta.
Vorkuta, Inta, Usinsk and the Ust-Tsilemsky District are the region's parts of the Russian Federation's Arctic Zone. The regional authorities hope circumpolar Pechora and Izhma Districts will be put on the list of Arctic territories.