ATS and SMG merge to form new municipal company REO

Created: 2022-08-02 05:22

By: Fridolin Thanner

REO - in the new municipal company, many cogs should mesh, explained the board members Harald Gmeiner (left) and Alexander Schmid (right) with District Administrator Olaf von Löwis.

© Thanner

Miesbach – The merger of ATS and SMG is complete.

The new municipal company Regionalentwicklung Oberland (REO) has been in existence since August 1st.

"You unlocked it 15 years ago and I'm locking it now," Alexander Schmid said in the direction of his predecessor Oliver Reitz.

The former head of the location marketing company for the district of Miesbach (SMG) is now a business promoter in Pforzheim and was a guest at this year's business reception in the Waitzinger Keller.

Just over a week later, on July 31, the SMG disbanded.

Then the merger with the Alpenregion Tegernsee Schliersee (ATS) will be complete.

About a year ago, ATS moved from Tegernsee to SMG in Miesbach.

Now the two district organizations are finally merging.

The SMG is merged into the ATS, which is given a new name and new statutes.

Tourism and business are combined in the new municipal company Regionalentwicklung Oberland (REO).

Create a strong district organization

"Together for the good of the region" was Harald Gmeiner's motto.

The previous ATS boss now forms a dual leadership in the REO with SMG Managing Director Schmid.

With district administrator Olaf von Löwis, the two board members presented the municipal company at a press conference - and then on the podium at the business reception.

"The merger is just right," emphasized Gmeiner.

For von Löwis it was a long-cherished wish, as he said.

After his election, he had the issue high on the agenda in order to create a strong district organization.

The merger was a logical step for the district administrator - and proved to be hard work.

Despite initial resistance, numerous discussions and a few setbacks, it was ultimately possible to allay concerns and pass the necessary resolutions in the district committees.

A milestone, Schmid believes, has been reached for the development of the district.

Visitor management and nature conservation

Projects that have been started will continue.

The employees stay, as do the tasks.

There have been some changes in the last few years.

From classic location promotion at SMG to general district development, explained Schmid.

In addition, ATS is now a long way from primarily marketing the district.

"We manage the region," emphasized Gmeiner.

Topics such as visitor management and nature conservation are at stake.

"More tourism management than tourism marketing," he said.

Not only because tourism is an important part of the economy in the region do ATS and SMG go well together.

There are overlaps in many areas of responsibility.

Everything is connected.

The best example is mobility, one of the really big challenges.

Budget of 2.3 million euros for REO

Here, too, you have to look far.

There is already a vision in the name REO, as District Administrator von Löwis said.

Closer cooperation between the districts in the Oberland is being sought.

Here, as with other topics, the following applies: "There must be no bans on thinking," said the district administrator.

The district provides 1.5 million euros per year for this purpose.

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With subsidies and sales from services, the REO municipal company has a budget of 2.3 million euros.

"We generate every third euro ourselves," Schmid made clear - and even more money should flow into the district: through a funding guide.

Those responsible hope that the project will give municipalities and companies new grants.