DĂRMĂNEȘTI, touristic resort of local interest

The town of Dărmănești is located in the western part of Bacău County, being the locality with the most protected areas in the county

Since December 28, 2022, the Town of Dărmănești has been certified as a local tourist resort, which has generated new opportunities for development and investment attraction in the tourism sector, consolidating its position on the map of holiday destinations.

In recent years, the local administration led by Mr. Mayor Constantin Toma has distinguished itself through involvement in numerous projects aimed at supporting the city’s development. These projects have covered various areas, such as improving educational and energy infrastructure, landscaping green spaces, and modernizing residential buildings.

Currently, the Town of Dărmănești has numerous ongoing projects aimed at developing infrastructure, education, healthcare, and tourism, with the goal of improving the quality of life for residents and attracting new economic opportunities. Looking ahead, priorities include completing ongoing projects and attracting new investors to the region.

Over the years, the Dărmănești Town Hall has completed several projects aimed at supporting the city’s development objective. In this regard, here are 3 projects completed in the last 4 years.

In recent years, the Town of Dărmănești has been involved in many projects aimed at supporting the city’s development and improving the quality of life for citizens. Among the most important completed projects, we mention:
• “Establishment of a Day Center for the Elderly in the Town of Dărmănești”, funded through the Regional Operational Program and completed in 2022. The total investment value is 4,426,747.72 lei. The general objective is to improve the quality of life for citizens.
• “Increasing the energy efficiency of the Lapos School building”, funded through the Regional Operational Program 2014-2020, project completed in 2020 with a value of 1,357,861.33.
• “Increasing the Energy Efficiency of residential blocks”, funded through the Regional Operational Program 2014-2020 and completed in 2020. The investment value is 2,791,410.21 lei. The general objective is to improve living conditions for residents and promote social cohesion by investing in the energy efficiency of residential blocks. The works involve thermal rehabilitation of 8 residential blocks, comprising a total of 92 apartments.
• “Landscaping of green space, SCUAR type, in the town of Dărmănești”, where the main objective was the landscaping of a green space of SCUAR type by converting the space located in the built-up area of the town of Dărmănești. The project value is 1,321,871.47 lei.
• “Construction works for flood prevention and protection infrastructure on the Dărmăneasca stream” funded by AFIR.
• “Rehabilitation and recalibration works on the Uz and Trotus rivers” by Romanian Waters.
• “Construction of a sports hall at the Technological High School in Dărmănești” financed by the National Investment Company (CNI) with a value of 5,446,753.93 lei.

Thus, over the past 4 years, UAT Dărmănești has invested in creating and modernizing road infrastructure. In this regard, approximately 65 streets have been rehabilitated, asphalted, and modernized, covering over 70% of the town’s road infrastructure.

In the context where in 2022, the town of Dărmănești was declared a tourist resort of national interest, please detail how this status has influenced the development process of the town you lead.

The Town of Dărmănești was certified as a tourist resort of local interest by Decision no. 1,580 dated December 28, 2022, and promotion as a resort means the possibility of attracting non-refundable funding in the field of tourism.

The town of Dărmănești will benefit from new opportunities to attract investors, which will encourage an increasing presence of tourists in the area. A multiplier effect will occur in related sectors: transportation, construction, agriculture, craftsmanship and retail. The certifi cation of Dărmănești Town as a Local Tourist Resort will help improve the quality of life for all residents.

Being the locality with the most protected areas in Bacău County, with unique traditions and customs, exceptional people, specifi c culinary recipes and internationally impactful cultural events, the Town of Dărmănești won the regional stage in the category of tourist localities in the Moldova and Bucovina region within the competition “Destination of the Year 2022”. Following this
competition, the number of tourists increased by 893% in 2023 compared to the period from 2010.

Due to the diversity of the relief represented by hills, valleys, mountains, the variety of vegetation formations, the range of colors and shapes, fauna, lakes, and exceptionally beautiful landscapes, in the spring-summer season, the following types of activities can be carried out in Dărmănești:

• Hiking – The trails in the Nemira Mountains attract tourists due to the unique landscapes and wilderness in the area.
• Equestrian Tourism – There are two equestrian centers in the town, which are a novelty and curiosity for Romanian and foreign tourists.
• ATV Rides – There is an ATV rental center where enthusiasts of extreme sports, fresh air, trails, and dreamy landscapes can ride ATVs, discovering the Uz Valley in all its splendor.
• Mountain Biking Trails – This type of activity is practiced by cycling enthusiasts nationwide. From easy rides to more challenging trails, lovers of long-distance cycling can experience plenty of adrenaline on mountain trails in the Nemira Mountains.
• Event Tourism – “The Mountain Products Fair” – Enthusiasts of traditions and natural products, obtained by farmers in their own households, can choose to participate in this event every year.
• Event Tourism – Stage in the National Hill Climb Championship “Valea Uzului Trophy”. Also included is the International Blues Festival – “BLUES IN THE GARDEN”. We also have the “UZILOR” Festival.

Iconic is the Bear Festival in Dărmănești. The annual “Dărmănești Bear” Festival, the place where tradition was born. With a tradition of hundreds of years, it gathers each year the city’s residents as well as a multitude of tourists from all over the country and abroad who come to admire the uniqueness of the custom, which originated here in our town.

The main tourist/cultural attractions are:

• Poiana Valea Uzului Dam and Lake,
• Bălătău Lake Natural Reserve,
• Izvorul Alb Natural Reserve,
• Creasta Nemirei Natural Reserve,
• Tuful de la Valea Uzului Natural Reserve,
• Nemira – Lapoș Site,
• Nemira Pools,
• Pufu Lake, “Saints Michael and Gabriel” Church – Historical Monument Class B,
• Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church – Historical Monument Class B,
• Ethnographic Museum at St. Peter and Paul Church,
• Saint Nicholas Church – Historical Monument Class B,
• Open-air Museum, the only open-air museum in Romania.

What are the ongoing projects and what objectives are achieved by their implementation?

We continue the implementation of already started projects, and of course, we will implement other new projects for our town’s community. Thus, we aim for the following:

• The ring road around the city,
• The rehabilitation of the medical dispensary,
• the rehabilitation of educational units,
• bike lanes,
• digitized islands,
• voluntary contribution collection center,
• equipping schools,
• building a Day Center with a mobile team,
• setting up photovoltaic parks,
• road infrastructure modernization and creation,
• digitalization, among many others!

The main ongoing projects consist of “Construction of a heavy traffic bypass in Dărmănești Town”, financed through the “Anghel Saligny” National Investment Program, with a total investment value of 21,021,749.71 lei. Through this project, we aim to reduce heavy traffic in the town.

On the same site, infrastructure for bicycle lanes will be provided over a length of 3.7 km, a promenade area will be arranged, and public lighting will be ensured through funding from the Environmental Fund Agency (AFM).

We have ongoing projects covering all infrastructures.

• Investments in digitization and energy efficiency improvement funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) totaling 5,207,467.39 lei.
• ICT Infrastructure – information systems and GIS updating with a value of over 3,161,350.00 lei funded through PNRR.
• Investments in educational infrastructure – School no. 2 benefits from funding through the Environmental Fund Management (AFM) totaling 3,507,379.74 lei.

Educational investments – projects with European PNRR and AFM with a total value of 34.464.985,07 lei.

Investments in educational infrastructure, projects financed through PNRR and AFM totaling 34,464,985.07 lei.
• Dărmănești Secondary School No. 2 benefits from funding through the Environmental Fund Administration (AFM), with a total investment value of 3,507,379.74 lei.
• The Technological High School benefits from multiple projects funded through PNRR. Through Component C10, funds are allocated for improving energy efficiency and rehabilitating the building where the Kindergarten operates, as well as through Component C15, for equipping with IT equipment, school furniture, and equipping physics, chemistry, and biology laboratories. Additionally, the Technological High School benefits from a sports hall funded by the National Investment Company. The total investment value is 18,051,908.14 lei.
• “Construction and Equipment of New Building – Green School No.1” will receive PNRR funding totaling 9,895,125.00 lei.

Investments in healthcare – projects with European and local budget funding totaling 16,369,454.20 lei.
• “Construction and Equipment of Dispensary”, funded by the National Investment Company (CNI), a project worth 14,500,000.00 lei. “Energy Rehabilitation of the Dispensary”, funded through PNRR Component C10, with a total investment value of 998,520.47 lei.
• “Arrangement and Rehabilitation of the Aurel Pecelia Center” – funded from the local budget, with a total investment value of 490,933.75 lei.

Investments regarding Population Utility Connection and extension of sewage, gas, lighting networks, etc. Funding comes from European funds and the local budget, totaling 46,484,135.79 lei.
• “Extension of intelligent natural gas distribution network – Lapoș and Sălătruc villages”. We have funding through MDLPA – Anghel Saligny, with an investment value of 12,900,325.83 lei. It is currently under execution.
• “Extension of sewerage systems on Plopului Street, Izvorului Street, and Plopu Street”, funded through PNRR, with a total investment value of 15,057,979.48 lei.
• “Establishment of a day care and recovery center, with mobile home care team”, funded through PNRR Component C13, with an investment value of 7,300,569.00 lei.
• Investments in Culture and Recreational Areas. From European funds and the local budget, the allocated sum is 15,576,140.24 lei.
• Investments for improving citizens’ quality of life, from European funds and the local budget, totaling 25,785,238.50 lei.
• Investments in watercourse dredging and safety measures, funded from government funds and the local budget: 1,394,792.97 lei.
• Construction of Medium-sized Nursery, project funded through PNRR Component C15 Education. The total investment value is 13,983,421.78 lei. It is currently under execution.
• All educational institutions in the town will be equipped with state-of-the-art IT infrastructure. The investment value is 2,119,310.00 lei, funded through PNRR.
• “Increasing the energy efficiency of public lighting infrastructure”, funded by the Environmental Fund Administration (AFM), with a total investment value of 3,108,152.76 lei;
• Establishing Voluntary Contribution Collection Centers in Dărmănești, funded through PNRR Component C13, with a total investment value of 3,830,913.04 lei;
• “Construction of digitalized ecological islands”, a project funded through PNRR, with an investment value of 2,444,991.50 lei. The project involves the placement of 25 above-ground islands.
• “Installation of recharging stations for electric vehicles”, funded by the Environmental Fund Administration, with an investment value of 552,110.00 lei. The main objective is to reduce emissions.
• “Providing infrastructure for green transportation through bicycle lanes (and other light electric vehicles) at the local/metropolitan level”, funded through PNRR C10 Local Fund, with a total investment value of 5,272,703.97 lei.
• “Establishment of a photovoltaic park”, funded through the Large Infrastructure Operational Program, with a total investment value of 4,755,644.44 lei;

What investment investment opportunities does the locality you administer offer?

Among the main reasons that could motivate a potential investor to locate a business in our locality are the climatic conditions, the favorable area with the most natural reserves rich in natural resources, and the exceptional natural framework.

Our locality offers favorable climatic conditions for developing businesses in the following areas:

• Recreation – through accommodation services, health and relaxation services (fitness center, massage room, sauna, swimming pool, cosmetics, etc.), and sports services.
• Health – By cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants. Cultivation and processing of forest fruits (black currant, gooseberries, blackberries, blueberries).
• Tourism – Our future target is to create a holiday village in the Lake Tail area. In this regard, the local administrative unit of Dărmănești town has initiated a project that includes the construction of a summer bobsleigh track with a length of approximately 340m uphill and 800m downhill. The investment will be provided from the local budget of Dărmănești town. Additionally, tourists visiting the area can explore traditional houses, old churches, historical monuments, and impressive natural landscapes. Tourists have the opportunity to interact with the locals and experience their authentic culture.

What are the investment objectives you have in mind for future?

Our first objective is to complete the ongoing projects. A priority for the local administrative unit of Dărmănești town is to connect the population to all utilities, meet the public interest requirements of the local community, increase the welfare of the population, and create the necessary conditions for quality education.