The government convened in the northern town on the occasion of Town Day, observed on Saint Nicholas' Day, December 6.
Addressing the Town Council, Plenkovic said that the amended law on financing local and regional government had ensured higher revenues for Krapina-Zagorje County and most towns and municipalities in the county.
"I think this was an important step forward because in that way you all have become stronger stakeholders in the implementation of your political priorities and concrete programmes and projects important for your towns, your municipalities and your county," Plenkovic said at the special session of the Krapina Town Council.
He said that his cabinet had made a series of steps to improve the quality of life throughout Croatia, "as can be seen, for instance, in a marked reduction of unemployment in Krapina and Zagorje."
Recalling what had been done in the past year, Mayor Zoran Gregurovic cited the government decision to transfer the founding rights over the local Hrvatsko Zagorje Polytechnic to the state, which he said made it possible for local students to attend a state-run college in their home county and free of charge.
The mayor presented plans to improve the tourist trade in Krapina, including the revitalisation of the Semnicke Toplice spa and the inclusion of Josipovac Hill and other sites in tourist programmes.
HRK 2.6 bn for road, rail infrastructure projects in Krapina region
The government adopted at its meeting in Krapina on Friday 38 conclusions and decisions on projects concerning the town and Krapina-Zgorje County worth HRK 3.68 billion, including 2.6 billion for the road and rail infrastructure.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that was an important message about balanced regional development and good cooperation between the central and local governments.
One of the conclusions concerns water projects worth HRK 916 million that are aimed at improving the standard and health of the people of Krapina and Krapina-Zgorje County. Environmental Protection Minister Tomislav Coric said HRK 475 million of that amount would come from EU funds.
The government awarded the Terme Tuhelj spa company a 30-year concession with a one-off fee of HRK 160,500 and the payment of an annual fee for mineral and geothermal waters for sports and recreation.
HRK 2.6 billion for roads and rail
Many conclusions concern the road and rail infrastructure. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Oleg Butkovic said infrastructure projects worth HRK 1 billion were being implemented and that today's conclusions totalled HRK 2.6 billion - 315 million for rail and 2.3 billion for road projects.
Krapina mayor Zoran Gregurovic said the goal was to bring water and road access to each house.
HRK 7 million for MRI scanner
One of the conclusions concerns financial assistance for the procurement of an MRI scanner for Zabok General Hospital and the Veterans Hospital, for which HRK 7 million has been earmarked in the 2020 state budget and projections for 2021 and 2022.
After the government meeting, eight agreements were signed and 51 contracts presented for various projects totalling over HRK 80 million.
Text: Hina