23/12/25
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The new Nostrum Evergreen data and artificial intelligence center in Badajoz, promoted by Nostrum Group, declared a PREMIA project by Extremadura
The Governing Council of the Regional Government of Extremadura has approved Nostrum Evergreen as a PREMIA project (Project of Business Interest to the Autonomous Region). The initiative, submitted by Data Ríocaya S.L.U., a company of Nostrum Group, aims to develop a sustainable data computing and artificial intelligence center in the municipality of Badajoz, as announced by the regional government’s spokesperson, Elena Manzano.
According to her statement, the project involves an investment of €1,913,163,000 and the creation of 330 jobs. Manzano added that completion of the project is scheduled for 2031.
Projects classified as being of autonomous regional interest may belong to any business sector, with the exception of the real estate, financial, energy, gambling, or mining sectors. In the latter case, however, projects related to the exploitation of lithium mineral resources may be classified as PREMIA.
The activity planned by the promoting company is the launch of a next-generation data center within the Southwestern European Logistics Platform, designed to reach a network-connected access capacity of up to 300 MW, meeting the highest standards of energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational security.
Obtaining this classification grants the company priority and urgent status for all regional administrative procedures, reducing standard processing timeframes by half—except for those related to the submission of applications and appeals—and allows the possibility of receiving direct-award subsidies for employment purposes, among other advantages.
Extremadura bets on crowdfunding
In a separate matter, the Governing Council of the Regional Government of Extremadura has approved a decree establishing the regulatory bases for an aid program aimed at promoting the co-financing of business projects through fundraising via crowdfunding campaigns, as well as approving its first call for applications. The program has a budget of €300,000 and is financed 85% by FEDER funds for the 2021–27 period. According to Manzano, this is a pioneering initiative designed to boost projects, ideas, or companies, acting as a “catalyst for businesses that need a push to launch products or continue securing funding.”
Participatory financing, or crowdfunding, is a fundraising mechanism that allows entrepreneurs or companies to obtain capital to finance projects, products, or initiatives through financial contributions made by a large number ofpeople via specialized digital platforms.
Eligible expenses include personnel costs, external consultancy, acquisition of tools, equipment, advanced hardware and software, consumable materials, production costs, and other expenses necessary for project development. The maximum eligible investment is €20,000 for reward-based crowdfunding projects and €150,000 for investment-based crowdfunding projects. The aid granted will cover 50% of the eligible investment.
The aid program is open to SMEs from almost all business sectors, with the exception of the primary sector, as well as certain activities restricted under EU regulations, activities related to gambling and betting, financial activities, and the manufacture, processing, or marketing of tobacco or products for the tobacco industry.
Source: El Economista
Date: 11 noviembre 2025
