When Norway closed the border with Sweden on March 12, 2020, the situation became like a nightmare in Strömstad.
Shops, hotels and conference facilities were empty.
Staff were laid off and soon the notice of dismissal began to come.
When Strömstad municipality in November summed up the situation before January 2021, there was talk of a crisis.
Every fifth able-bodied resident of Strömstad would be without a job - an unemployment rate of 20 percent.
Notice was withdrawn
Today, municipal director Mats Brocker states that the nightmare scenario did not come true.
Unemployment is high, but financial support from the state and the region, business work locally and the fact that the food group Grensemat withdrew a notice of 300 people means that open unemployment can reach a peak of 15 percent.
- But the curve goes in the other direction.
We think there is a lightening going on here.
The hope: Trade for Easter
It is through the vaccination that has begun that the hope of an open border has been given new life.
But the crisis is far from over
- January and February are tough months even with an open border, says Kent Hansson (S), chairman of the municipal board.
He has some hope that the border could open in stages in the spring and that a boost for trade and the hospitality industry might come as early as Easter.
Begins conversion
The closed border has created an increased awareness of how great, and vulnerable, the dependence on cross-border trade was.
A plan for conversion is now being initiated and a special office to coordinate this will be built in Strömstad Hospital, which was recently bought by the region.
There, you must coordinate activities that can meet the unemployed and the company that is looking for a new market.
- It is important to find the point that you are not alone, but that we do this together, says Richard Holm, business manager.