Grundarfjörður mayor sees growth potential in tourism

Birkir Jón Jónsson, the new mayor of Grundarfjörður, says local government offers a direct view of how decisions affect people’s lives, mbl.is reports. The town has nearly 900 residents and a strong community, with fishing as the foundation of its economy and tourism growing rapidly.

Dozens of cruise ships visit Grundarfjörður harbour each summer, bringing significant economic activity. The Progressives won an outright majority in the town’s municipal elections this spring, holding four of the seven seats on the town council. Birkir Jón was appointed mayor as part of the change in leadership.

“In local government, wherever the place is, you see incredibly quickly how decisions affect people’s lives,” Birkir Jón said. He cited improvements to school kitchens, better preschool playgrounds, new pavements and projects supporting further economic development as examples.

Birkir Jón previously served as a town councillor in Fjallabyggð, where he grew up, and later in Kópavogur. He said those experiences had increased his respect for the work of elected representatives. He also praised Grundarfjörður’s town council and the knowledge, experience and ambition of municipal employees.

Although budgeting, figures and formal decisions are a major part of a mayor’s work, Birkir Jón said communication with residents was central. He said the job required the ability to listen and understand people’s circumstances.

He said the combination of a stronger tourism sector and fishing had helped diversify Grundarfjörður’s economy. Tourism offered substantial opportunities for investment and job creation, with discussions currently focused on a hotel and a bathing lagoon.

An agreement of intent was signed with investors in June to examine the feasibility of such a project. Birkir Jón said the municipality’s main role was to create conditions in which good projects could become reality, while cautioning against making premature declarations.

He also said that securing energy and transmitting electricity were prerequisites for further development.