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IDEA is a private Limited Company (SCRL)
incorporated in 1955 responsible for the Territorial and
Economic Development of Mons-Borinage and the Central
Region of Belgium. This catchment area covers 24 local
authorities and some 500,000 inhabitants.
IDEA had a staff of 545 on 31 December 2001 based at
several sites, with a turnover of 48,797,618 Euro which
included property transactions.
Originally the local authorities of Mons-Borinage and
the Central Region set up the Inter-Authority Agency to
consolidate the Haine Valley and protect the former coal-mining
basin from recurrent flooding which occurred as a result
of consecutive mine subsidence.
Drawing on its positive experience of the solidarity
amongst its member authorities IDEA undertook a new mission
- that of addressing the social and economic difficulties
the region faced.
Over time IDEA has never ceased diversifying its activities
and today it continues to develop and diversify, carrying
out research, spatial planning and regional promotion.
In addition to its to its activities as a local economic
development agency, IDEA is characterised by the range
of its multi-sectoral undertakings. IDEA collects household
refuse, produces and distributes water, treats waste water
and sewage, and is a cable television operator.
Through its wealth-generation activities, its active
involvement in regional economic development, IDEA works
to improve the environment and quality of life of the
residents of Mons-Borinage and the Central Region.
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