Welcome to
Iisalmi
Made in Iisalmi Iisalmi, surrounded by water, is the thriving and developing centre of Upper Savonia. Iisalmi boasts a lot of entrepreneurship and the industrial exports from the area are stronger than anywhere else in the region or in Finland. The more than 22 000 citizens of Iisalmi live a safe life surrounded by the beautiful countryside, with good access to major roadways. Iisalmi offers its citizens versatile services and rich cultural experiences.
Numerous internationally significant businesses are located in Iisalmi. Build your success with us. OLVI The Olvi brewery, founded in Iisalmi on 1878, has remained in Finnish ownership for more than a hundred years. Olvi is a brewery which wants to offer the consumer enjoyable drinks and positive experiences. Today, the company operates locally in Finland, Belarus and the Baltic countries. The brewery is located in an idyllic spot in the heart of Iisalmi, right at the tip of Luuniemi.
www.olvi.fi GENELEC Genelec Ltd. produces active speakers for professional, installation and home use. Genelec has been one the leading producer of active speakers in the world since 1978. The company mission is to bring joy to the lives of customers with the best sound systems on the market.
www.genelec.fi versatile international business
PONSSE Ponsse is one of the leading producers of forestry machines in the world, and their customer-orientated business is always led by the wishes and needs of the customer. Ponsse products cover a wide range of requirements for harvesting timber around the world. Ponsse is a family business with deep roots in the Finnish countryside.
www.ponsse.com NORMET Normet offers solutions to challenging customer processes in the mining and tunnel industry. It is one of the leading companies in the field. Normet has more than 50 years of experience in developing, producing and selling equipment required for the construction of mines and tunnels.
www.normet.com PROFILE VEHICLES Profile Vehicles Ltd. develops and designs special vehicles which are then produced in the parent, subsidiary or partnership companies of the Group. Profile Vehicles’ ambulances lead the market in the Baltic countries, and their luxury buses are a familiar sight in the streets and highways of many cities. The company vision is to be a global special vehicle producer known for its leading technology.
www.profilevehicles.com
The Wood Valley of Soinlahti – Bioenergy and forestry business park The industrial area Soinlahti, located north of Iisalmi, has a long history in wood processing. Companies that operate in the area include Anaika Wood Ltd., Green Fuel Nordic Ltd. and Lunawood Ltd.
Forest is our strength
LUNAWOOD LTD Lunawood is an innovative pioneer in thermowood production, producing high quality Finnish thermowood products. The company’s quick rise to becoming the market leader is based on their first rate thermowood treatment process, high quality products and customer specific expert services.
www.lunawood.com
ANAIKA WOOD LTD Anaika Wood Ltd. is a Finnish wood refinery which produces sawn and planed timber, as well as laminated timber from Finnish wood. Anaika ships most of its products to Japan and Europe.
www.anaikawood.com
The Business Development Services of Iisalmi Town provide advisory and develop-
ment services for SME’s in all stages of their company life-cycle. We offer a wide range of services, including basic business counselling, growth and development services, networking, ownership change and relocation services. Our asic advisory services are available free of charge for all companies operating in the town of Iisalmi.
Be one of the entrepreneurs in the area! Further information: Terho Savolainen Director of Economic Development Tel. +358 40 630 5328 terho.savolainen@iisalmi.fi
Made in Iisalmi – City-sized Shopping Center Good accessibility, ample parking spaces and short distances will make your shopping trip easy and effortless.
Comprehensive services and versatile shopping
The Kauppakeskus Iisalmi website offers information about the wide and versatile selection of services; shopping possibilities, and entertainment and travel services.
The entrepreneur organisations in Iisalmi have understood the power of co-operation. The organisations, the City have formed a city-sized Shopping Centre marketing campaign which introduces all the commercial services in Iisalmi. The Kauppakeskus Iisalmi website offers information about the wide and versatile selection of services; shopping possibilities, and entertainment and travel services. Have a look at what we have to offer: www.kauppakeskusiisalmi.fi
Find the home of your dreams A home with a lake view is no rare in Iisalmi. Every day is luxury in Iisalmi: distances are short which leaves more time for relaxing and hobbies. The diverse neighbourhoods of Iisalmi offer something for everybody.
RESIDENTIAL AREAS WITH FREE LOTS Kirkonsalmi • along the waterway Luuniemi • in the heart of the city centre Ohenmäki • idyllic villages close to the centre Partala • hills and slopes Peltosalmi • countryside views Pihlajaharju • along the historical Koljonvirta Venakkoniemi • on the shore of Porovesi Veturitallinranta • next to the lake Paloisjärvi
Healthy and thriving Iisalmi The joint municipality authority Ylä-Savon SOTE is responsible for the health and social care of the Iisalmi residents. SOTE offers high quality, personal and safe treatment to their customers and puts emphasis on preventative care.
HIGH QUALITY SERVICES • Social services • Healthcare and medical services • Care services and facilities for the elderly • Environment and health monitoring services In Iisalmi, people are encouraged and supported to take good care of themselves and their loved ones.
Ylä-Savon SOTE kuntayhtymä P.O.Box 4 (Meijerikatu 2), 74101 IISALMI Telephone exchange: (00358) 017 272 41 Internet: www.ylasavonsote.fi
For families – safe living, everyday life As a place of residence, Iisalmi offers versatile services for families with children. Based on your family’s situation and childcare needs, you can choose either the childcare benefit, or a place in the nursery or a private child-minder, or use the afternoon clubs available. Childminder and nursery services are available privately and from the city.
The new nursery Simpukka opened in 2014.
Iisalmi for Students
www.iisalmi.fi/education
All children under 16 years of age have the right for basic education. In Iisalmi, basic education is arranged at 11 comprehensive schools. All schools have an excellent level of modern technology and functionality, increasing the students’ comfort at school. After comprehensive school pupils can apply upper secondary school or two vocational schools. At the Iisalmi campus of the savonia university of applied sciences you can study to become a Bachelor of Agriculture and Forestry, a Registered nurse or a Bachelor of Social Services.
Iisalmi offers numerous activities for families with children
The motocross champion Sanna Kärkkäinen Snowboarder Rene Rinnekangas Even though Sanna Kärkkäinen, born in 1994, is young, she has won the championship of the women’s MXD league several times. She practices, amongst other places, in the developing motocross track in Iisalmi. Her success is based on intense training, talent and strong support from her family. Sanna has received sports grants from the city of Iisalmi, and many companies in Iisalmi support her competition trips abroad.
Rene started snowboarding in his brother’s footsteps in 2004 when he was just 4 years old. He has won the Finnish Championship four times in his age bracket. He has also represented Finland in the under-20 category in the World Championships in Turkey in 2013. Rene trains in the Paloisvuori in Iisalmi during the winter - whenever he is not away on training or competition trips. The flexibility of the Juhani Aho school and the strong support Rene receives from his family have made it possible for Rene to build his snowboarding career. The city of Iisalmi has also supported Rene’s career with sports grants.
The nearest recreational area begins in your doorstep The versatile and beautiful finnish nature with its clean air tempts everybody to stay outside and enjoy themselves. The active sport organisations and foundations bring life into the city.
VERSATILE OUTDOOR RECREATION: • Skiing and outdoor centre in Paloisvuori • City routes • Snowmobile routes • Sikokallio hiking area • Boat routes • Hiking routes in Koljonvirta and Soidinvuori • 24 rest areas
The recently renovated sports park of Kangas offers a swimming hall and gym, an ice rink and a sports hall, astroturf sports field, tennis and bowling hall, tennis courts, jogging areas, skiing tracks with sports equipment and a Parkour park.
Real nature – natural reality
The Paloisvuori sports centre offers activities throughout the year From downhill skiing to jogging routes and a 18-hole frisbee golf course. Paloisvuori also has mountain biking tracks, nature and dog walking routes and fixed orienteering points.
Find a hobby or activity of your choice In Iisalmi there are active golf, football, floorball, ice hockey, gymnastics, dancing and swimming clubs, offering tuition to both children and adults. If you are into culture, you can join an amateur theatre group or a choir, visit museums or see a theatre or concert performance. Iisalmi offers a wide choice of activities to inhabitants of all ages. The hobby search engine in the city website helps you find interesting activities from the comprehensive selection in the Iisalmi area.
Iisalmi – Worth of Seeing – safe living, everyday life You can learn about the history and the culture of the area in the historical area of Runni, the exhibition displayed in Hotel Artos, in Koljonvirta and the cultural centre of Iisalmi. The refurbished harbour of Iisalmi, the local market square, the market hall, and the unique church park are also worth visiting.
THE HISTORICAL AREA OF RUNNI One of the most fascinating places to visit in Iisalmi is the spa in Runni and the area surrounding it. The Runni spa is one of the oldest health spas in Finland; idyllic spa life has been enjoyed there since the 18th century. The Saarikoski canal, the Neulatammi stream and dam, the summer café and a nature trail are also located within walking distance from the spa. The refurbished dam still offers effective water massage and refreshing swimming.
THE CULTURAL EXHIBITION ARTOS – A TRIBUTE TO THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE KARELIAN BORDER AREAS The permanent exhibition shows the cultural heritage in the Karelian border areas. The exhibition highlights are the churches and the Greek Orthodox village chapels in the Karelia area which was surrendered to the Soviet Union. Time travel to the history of the Karelian Orthodox church can also be done with the miniature models and the time-programmed, animated stories about the evacuation journey and the history of Karelia.
THE BATTLES AND STORIES OF KOLJONVIRTA Koljonvirta is best known for the famous battle of Koljonvirta which was fought October 27th, 1808 by the Swedes and Russians in the Finnish war. As a result of the war, Finland was added to the Russian empire, although the Finnish Swedes beat the Russian troops in the battle of Koljonvirta. These days Koljonvirta is a versatile and relaxing travel destination for families. Numerous themed events and competitions are organised in the area every year, and the versatile hobby options and cultural happenings keep the visitors entertained.
The summer events in the Iisalmi area are full of real treasures for visitors. The diverse events offer entertainment for visitors of all ages. BEER FESTIVAL OLUSET The biggest and oldest beer festival, Oluset, is held in July on the Luuniemi festival field. Since 1988, thirsty summer visitors have gathered to Oluset to enjoy wonderful and sunny weekend together. Oluset offers a summer atmosphere, best Finnish artists and a wonderful selection of beverages. Some speciality beers are also included! Oluset is a relaxing and easygoing Savonian summer event where you are guaranteed to run into friends! Further information: www.iisalmi.fi/events
THE MARKET SQUARE IS THE LIVING ROOM FOR VISITORS The Iisalmi market square and the market hall, built in 1926, are fascinating tourist attractions in the city centre. The market square is also treated as a sort of shared living room and a gathering place by the residents of Iisalmi and the Upper Savonian people. Numerous events, such as four big market days, evening sales, and many events with performances and open concerts are held on the market square every year. The market square offers a lot of shopping opportunities, especially during the berry and the vegetable seasons in the summer.
Events throughout the year
EXPERIENCES AND VITALITY The cultural centre offers numerous concerts and other events throughout the year. The amateur theatre has a long history in Iisalmi. In the beginning of the last century, Iisalmi had a semi-professional community theatre, and one of the actors and directors was Edvin Laine. Iisalmen Theatre Association are responsible for organising the theatre shows in Iisalmi. A good theatre experience improves the quality of life and promotes well-being.
Iisalmi information Iisalmi - easily accessible – easy to reach by car, train or by plane. Kuopio Airport is located about 80 kilometres from Iisalmi. Airport coaches run between Iisalmi and the airport several times a day. Learn more about Iisalmi, go to our websites: http://www.iisalmi.fi/In-english http://www.kauppakeskusiisalmi.fi/In_English
Tourist info Riistakatu 5, 74100 IISALMi Tel. + 358 40 355 1632 Tel. +358 40 543 4903 tourism@iisalmi.fi