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On October 12, the Day of Bulgarian Municipalities, the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) officially launched its new training center in the village of Gergini, near Gabrovo. The center was inaugurated by Ambassador John Beyrle and Krassimir Mirev, Mayor of Targovishte and Chair of the NAMRB Board.

The NAMRB has entered a new stage of institutional development thanks to increasing interest in its services. The newly renovated training facility is the biggest NAMRB investment to date. Renovation of the building cost more than $600,000, with USAID contributing $150,000. The Bulgarian government provided the building.

Local government practitioners from all 264 Bulgarian municipalities will directly benefit from training activities conducted in the center. Training topics include municipal asset management, urban development, municipal finance, legal issues, and communications. The Center consists of a complex of three buildings on a land plot of 7,500 square meters, and includes an additional plot of 4,120 square meters designed as sport and recreation fields. After renovation, the Center will have six training halls with a total of 180 seats. The residential wing will accommodate 76 guests. The Center is expected to ensure the sustainable development of NAMRB in the future by generating additional revenues. The first training courses will start in November 2007.