Ercsi

Ercsi is located in the northern corner of Fejér county, on the right bank of the Danube river. The number of residents is 8364, out of whom 527 live in the outskirts of Ercsi, which are facilitated with public utilities, only their distance from the city makes them peripheral. The number of inhabitants has been gradually increasing, as seen in the positive public migration (+7,18 % which means the difference in migration between two population census). This value for Ercsi is much higher than the national average.

The traffic of main road no. 6 flows through Ercsi, towards the west, in the direction of Ráckeresztúr where it is connected to road no. 7, then to high-way no. 7. The town is situated along the Budapest-Pécs railway line. The ferry-harbour makes connection with Csepel-island. The vicinity of high-way M0 (22 km) ensure the contact with the eastern part of the country. Seven settlements are drawn to Ercsi, which are: Ráckeresztúr, Martonvásár, Tordas, Iváncsa, Besnyő, Beloiannisz, Adony.

Between 1638 and 1871, Ercsi was twice given the title of "country-town". Administratively it has always been independent.

In 1912, with the construction of the sugar refinery, Ercsi became an industrial centre of the region. The factory was closed down in 1998, since then different companies have been utilising the industrial park. Changes which have taken place since 1990 laid the ground for becoming a town.

The infrastructure (water-, sewer-, and gas networks) have been realised, and public telephones were connected to the EWSD digital network. Ercsi has not lost its important role in the regional economy even since privatisation began. In place of closed down industrial establishments, new ones have been and are being constructed. It is important for us to help the development of such establishments and the industrial park in order to create new jobs for people living in Ercsi and in its region. Because of the recently opened commercial units (e.g. Car-Showrooms, Technical Market) the town has become a regional commercial centre.

In terms of basic educational institutions, Ercsi also plays an important regional role, with services offered by the Music School of Eötvös József Elementary School, special education section for the handicapped of Kossuth Lajos Elementary School, the gymnasium suitable for international sports events, the swimming pool, the theatre housing 400 spectators, the library of Eötvös József Cultural Centre having 22000 books. The Local Army Club which was opened for the public in 1992, has also taken part in the public service. It is necessary to further develop and modernise these institutions in order to satisfy the social requirements. The two existing kindergartens of Ercsi cannot accomodate all the children. The Eötvös József Elementary School is short of classrooms. The construction of a new eight-classroom school, and the operation of a training school are needed. There are not enough municipal apartments which could assure the existence and settling down of highly qualified public officers, and young couples. A housing-park should be built to solve this question. This would also save the historic building of the Castle located in the city that is currently used by the Municipality as social apartments.

Further to basic health-care service, Ercsi also offers special public health services to town dwellers and people living in the region. The building of an emergency centre with an Ambulance Centre is planned by the end of 2001, financed by tender money. This would add to the extension of the public health services.

The Social Centre opened in 1997 has since been housing the Family Aid Service, the Elders' Club, the Temporary Nursing Home for the Elderly, and the Home Help Service. However, this centre cannot help the social welfare service so it must be developed.

The programmes of "Eötvös-Days" started in 1990 have become traditions and have been attracting many intellectuals. The scientific lectures and exhibitions of Eötvös-Days have regulary been visited by people from different parts of the country.

The touristic features of Ercsi are good owing to its location, natural and cultural characteristics. However, there are only three existing hotels, and few restaurants, some of which are not offering suitable services.

The registry of real estates and public utilities has been done by a space-informatic-system, in which the continuous changes are recorded annually.

The gravel-terras of the settlement is the richest ground water resource in the region. Most of the drinking water of nine settlements (Ercsi, Gárdony, Székesfehérvár, Velence, Iváncsa, Besnyő, Beloiannisz, Százhalombatta, Dunaújváros) is provided by 22 river-bank wells.