Professor: Randers may borrow to solve waste crisis
Per Nikolaj Bukh, a professor from Aalborg University, sees a state loan as a potential fix for Randers Municipality’s economic woes from the Nordic Waste cleanup. The suggestion is a 300 million kroner loan repaid over 15 years, costing the municipality 20 million kroner a year plus interest. Randers has spent 254 million kroner and faces a looming 370 million kroner budget deficit, potentially leading to state administration by 2026. Access to such loans is typically challenging for self-funded municipalities, but Randers’ unusual predicament might qualify for this one-off solution. No loan processes have been initiated yet, and it would affect municipal services, according to Municipal Director Jesper Kaas Schmidt. Although parliament provided 205 million kroner for preventative actions, Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke has hinted that no further immediate funds will be available, pending a plan review.