The matter was discussed at the City Council on Monday evening, but the proposal to contribute SEK 150 million to the space industry in the form of a kind of blank check was voted down.
On the other hand, it was decided with great agreement that the municipality should, after all, continue to investigate the most appropriate way to implement the initiative.
But the Local Government Act sets limits on how a municipality may use tax money.
"Can not do anything illegal"
Kiruna municipality has already hired two auditing firms to try to find possible approaches, so far without results.
- The municipality can not do anything that is illegal.
We will try to find new ways, but they have not found yet, says Stefan Sydberg (M), municipal councilor with responsibility for space issues.
Believe in getting your money back
According to Stefan Sydberg, the money would be paid back to the municipality when Esrange starts making money from its satellite launches.
- The basic concept is that this is money that is lent out that we will get back.
The background is that the financing for the infrastructure at Esrange is not complete.
The state has invested 150 million, the owners of the space base SSC have themselves raised the same amount.
Another 150 million from Kiruna municipality would give the project a big push forward.
Launches of satellites into orbit have been considered to provide growth for large parts of the business community and many high-tech jobs.