The city aims to improve its annual profit by 10 million euros – a stable financial program for decision-making during the spring

23.4.2026 News Participate and influence Budget Town government Decision making Program for a stable economy

Aerial view of buildings in the center of Riihimäki. — Photo: Kim Saarinen

The city is preparing a second stable economy program. The goal is to balance the city's economy with ten million euros during the 2026–2029 program period. At the end of the program period, investments and annual gross margin should be in balance and the city should be able to invest without significant debt. Annual gross margin indicates how many euros the city has available for investments, investments and loan repayments.

“Riihimäki is not immune to the challenges of public finances. The changing operating environment, employment challenges and economic uncertainty are also reflected in the economy of the City of Riihimäki as growing pressures. In this situation, the Stable Economy Program is a necessary measure that will help us ensure the vitality of the city also in the future. We must be able to find additional savings and income and make choices in investments,” says Mayor Jouni Eho.

The city's goal is to be an irresistible city of the quarter, a home for future creators, and a community of sustainable growth. From an economic perspective, achieving the goals requires that the city's finances and assets are managed systematically and responsibly.

The challenge is the growth of the loan stock

The city's borrowing volume is currently 86 million euros. This means that there is approximately 3000 euros in loans per inhabitant. In the financial planning period until 2029, the borrowing volume is set to increase by 15 million euros annually unless measures are taken.

The City Government launched the preparation of a continuation of the stable economic program in December 2025. According to the City Government, the continuation of the program is justified, as the city's 2026 budget will be in deficit. The deficit is forecast to increase in the coming years.

Without the continuation of the stable economic program, the city's annual budget will not be sufficient for investments and loan repayments. In 2025, the city implemented savings of 2,2 million euros and was able to significantly curb the growth of operating expenses. The first period of the economic program is from 2025 to 2027. A total of 4,2 million euros in savings are planned for the period.

Measures in every industry

The city has been investigating during spring 2026 what measures could be taken to improve the city's financial situation. The investigation has been carried out in all four of the city's sectors. In addition to permanent and one-off savings measures, the city has assessed, among other things, investment needs.

"In addition to the stable economy program, the city is currently conducting a service network study. The goal is to generate savings of approximately three million through the decrease in the number of children and service network decisions. The stable economy program will fall apart without a decision regarding the service network," says Eho.

In addition to service network work, the city vitality sector and the technical sector have assessed during the spring how the sectors will organize services in the future. In the administration and corporate sector, the savings mainly consist of reducing the costs of external procurement.

Decision-making in June

The overall sustainable economic program will proceed to decision-making in June. The City Board will decide on the sustainable economic program in June and define the budget framework for 2027. After the City Board, the matters will proceed to the City Council for consideration.

The steering group for the Sustainable Economy Programme is made up of the City Board and the Presidium of the City Council. The project group is made up of the City Management Group and the first chairmen of the City Council and the City Board.

Stable economy program page