Coepa’s Renewal: A Century-Old Trade Center Reimagined as a Training Hub

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After years of neglect and decay, the former commercial hub once linked to the now-defunct Coepa is poised to breathe again. The Ministry of Economy has approved a rehabilitation plan for the property, outlining a pathway to begin works next year and, subsequently, to offer education-related services and participate in state-driven employment initiatives. This renewal effort follows a lengthy negotiation with the Alicante City Council, which helped seed the project and bring it to this stage.

The concept of a trade center in the area originated in 2001, designed to address the shortage of skilled labor in the province for industries like construction and hotel management at the time. The arrangement was collaborative: the City Council contributed the land, the Generalitat financed construction through subsidies from the Valencian Employment Service (Servef), and a loan from the Valencia Institute of Finance (IVF) supported the project. Administration and course offerings were supported by funds from the Consell, assisting the training that would empower local workers.

Yet the onset of the economic crisis led to tightened budgets for unemployed education programs, and Coepa found itself unable to participate in the emerging tenders. As a result, the property remained unused since 2012, while IVF pursued repayment of the loan and Servef pressed for the return of the aid. The building gradually faded, changing hands between Servef, IVF, and the City Council, and its doors closed earlier this year. Now, a strategy to restore the infrastructure and repurpose it as a training center is taking shape.

The renewed plan envisions a rehabilitation budget of 5.5 million euros that will support a range of training programs for both employed and unemployed individuals. The land and building rights would be transferred to Labora for a 50-year term, enabling sustained access to education and professional development opportunities. In addition to traditional courses, the initiative aims to offer entrepreneurship support and other active employment policies, aligning with the ministry’s objective to meet local business needs and strengthen the regional economy. The emphasis remains on building usable skills, expanding vocational options, and creating pathways to employment through a modern learning environment. This approach reflects a broader commitment to workforce resilience and regional competitiveness, with oversight and coordination involving key regional bodies to ensure long-term viability and impact. [Citation: Regional economic development authority, project brief, official records]

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