Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Agriculture Minister Sandra Borch met the press in Meråker at 4.45pm on Wednesday. – We have come here to tell you that the Norwegian community, through Statskog, has decided to buy Meraker Brug, which was put up for sale earlier this year. It is a big and important decision, Støre began. – We must ensure that Meraker Brug is managed in a good and sustainable way. He added that Statskog is providing Meråker alpine center with an operating subsidy of NOK 15 million to strengthen Meråker as a ski destination and to contribute to the further development of cabin sites. 2.65 billion With its area of 1.3 million acres, Meraker Brug is one of the country’s largest privately owned properties. It makes up almost the entire municipality of Meråker. In addition, the property has activity in the municipalities of Stjørdal, Malvik and Steinkjer. Gunnar Olofsson, chairman of Statskog, Minister of Agriculture Sandra Borch and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre together with Richard Arnesen who represents the seller. Photo: Tariq Alisubh / news Further in the press conference, Agriculture Minister Sandra Borch informed that the property has been purchased for NOK 2.65 billion. She added that several Norwegian and foreign actors have shown interest. See the press conference on the sale of Meraker Brug here. To news, chairman Gunnar Olofsson says that the property fits well into Statskog’s operations. – But it could be that we put more resources here for Meråker, who works in a broader national perspective. Mayor Kjersti Kjenes describes having lived in tension since June, when they learned that there was a possibility of a sale. – We have had to ask ourselves a lot of hypothetical questions. Now we have an actor to deal with, and it is now that the work starts with negotiations, she said during the press conference. – We need the new owners to see opportunities for collaboration to further develop the municipality. We hope Statskog will work for the best for the village – and really have a heart for the village. Kjersti Kjenes, mayor of Meråker, together with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister of Agriculture Sandra Borch. Photo: Tariq Alisubh / news Richard Arnesen, who represents the seller, stated that Statskog had the “best offer”, and that they got a “sensible agreement”. Satisfied When it became known this spring that Meraker Brug was for sale, the Center Party came out and said it had to be bought up by the state and divided among several owners. – We have had a general meeting with the employees and informed them, said general manager Per Hembre on Wednesday afternoon, who referred to the press conference for further information. He told Bladet that they have raised the flag to welcome the new owners. Brugetsgården is the main farm in Meraker Brug and is located in the center of Meråker. Photo: Morten Andersen / news – Norway’s second largest private property now appears to end up in community ownership. That means it’s now as much yours as it is mine. It has great value in itself, and is the important thing for the Labor Party, says Per Olav Skurdal Hopsø. He is a leader in the main committee for industry in Trøndelag (Ap). – The property has had a good owner for many years, who has ensured community access. They have also had a good dialogue with the municipalities and the county. Without knowing who the other buyers in question have been, we are very pleased that the property appears to be ending up in the State’s hands. In that case, it ensures the community access to this magnificent nature. Sandra Borch and Jonas Gahr Støre in Meråker. Photo: Tariq Alisubh / news – Very good news The Socialist Left Party is very happy about the news. – This is very good news, and something SV has been working on for too long, says Lars Haltbrekken. – Now we can ensure that the users of the area, such as reindeer herders, hunters, fishermen and hikers, can use it just as before. It is the community that should own fishing and hunting areas like this, not private property barons. Lars Haltbrekken says the purchase is very good news. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB – Crazy prioritization Storting representative for the Progress Party, Sivert Bjørnstad, completely disagrees with the purchase. – This is an insane prioritization by the government. While prices are galloping for most people, they cannot afford lower taxes and fees, but they can afford this. The state already owns a great deal of land. This could well have been owned by private owners, and the state could rather use this money to help most people. Tina Bru, the Conservative Party’s deputy leader and spokesperson for fiscal policy, has the following comment on the purchase: – It is very special to talk about how tight the budget is, but still spend 2.6 billion to buy forests, especially when owning forests is not a main task for the state. When the government takes this under the line, we must expect that the return for the community will be at least as great as if the money had remained in the Oil Fund. – Bra Borch The Green Party is satisfied with the purchase. – Good, Borch! Assuming that the government uses this beautiful forest area to show what future green forest management should look like, with this purchase the government is making a good investment in lasting values, says Rasmus Hansson. Rasmus Hansson Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen / news Posted in April Today, 94 percent of the property is owned by the Hans Rasmus Astrup Foundation and the Thomas Fearnley, Heddy and Nils Astrup Foundation. The map shows Meraker use, as well as Statskog’s properties. Photo: Vegard Woll / news Astrup Fearnley The museum at Tjuvholmen in Oslo has the same owners. The huge areas were put up for sale at the end of April this year to secure capital for the operation, and to be able to buy more art. The neighboring property sold last year, Meraker Brug, is not the only large property that has been the subject of sale recently. Last year, investor Bjørn Rune Gjelsten bought Værdalsbruket, which borders Meraker Brug, for between NOK 800 and 900 million:
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Statskog buys one of Norway’s largest privately owned properties – Meraker Brug – news Trøndelag
