Orasch emigrates

Investor plans surprise business & politics

The Lilihill Group invested heavily in Klagenfurt.(Bild: Hronek Eveline)

It came as a complete surprise when the Orasch family announced in the "Krone" newspaper that they were pulling up stakes in Carinthia and emigrating to California. This not only caused astonishment in the local economy, but also in politics. 

The Orasch family's announcement that they would be turning their backs on Carinthia and emigrating to America came as a surprise to many Carinthian entrepreneurs in particular. But it is not only the Carinthian business scene that is surprised by the plans of investor Franz Peter Orasch and his wife Mirjam; there is also astonishment in politics. After all, Orasch is considered to be very familiar with some politicians.

Restraint in the provincial government
The office of Governor Peter Kaiser (SP), who took Orasch's side in the airport case right up to the end, simply stated: "This is a personal decision that must be taken on board. In principle, any departure from Carinthia is regrettable." Deputy Governor Martin Gruber (VP), who fought for Orasch's shares in the airport for a long time, did not even comment on the investor's plans.

"We have to acknowledge that without envy"
Klagenfurt's mayor Christian Scheider (TK) is quite different: "You have to make a clear distinction between the plans at the airport and the projects in the city." Orasch has left a lasting impression. By revitalizing old buildings in the city centre, the investor has breathed new economic life into Klagenfurt. "And we have to acknowledge that without envy."