Enjoy rural ambience in an industrial town!

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Rural ambience in a vibrant industrial town!Hundred-year-old Äänekoski is an industrial town in the heart of Finland. Over 20,000 people live here.

The town comprises four urban districts on the shores of the beautiful Lake Keitele: Äänekoski, Suolahti,

Sumiainen and Konginkangas. Äänekoski is a town with a uniquely eclectic character – and it’s neither

too big nor too small.

As a growing and evolving town, we scale our services to match the needs of our residents. Äänekoski is

a family-friendly place. Thanks to our well-run social and healthcare services, you can live a great life in

Äänekoski. We take care of all our residents.

Did you know thatÄänekoski provides a wealth of job opportunities? Our employment self-sufficiency is over 100%!

live the life you want

industry and activity

Äänekoski in a nutshell• Inhabitants: 20 243 (31 Dec. 2009) • Surface area, land: 884.70 km2; water: 253.82 km2 • Urban districts: Äänekoski, Suolahti, Sumiainen and Konginkangas • Largest employers: Valtra Oy Ab, Powernet Oy, Metsäliitto Cooperative’s Suolahti mills, M-Real Corporation’s board and paper mills, Oy Metsä-Botnia Ab, Cp Kelco, Meconet Oy, Keskimaa, Valio Oy, Kurikka Timber Oy, Town of Äänekoski • Employment self-sufficiency: over 100%

Centre of Äänekoski. Photo: Photo archives of the Town of Äänekoski.

the beauty of Keitele

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Did you know thatM-real Corporation’s factory mu-seum is also located in Äänekoski? The museum’s exhibits present office

activities, raw wood procurement, production, energy and the social activities of employees.

Äänekoski – fun things to see and do!Life without a party is like a long journey without rest! Leisure and culture give us strength for our daily lives: the annual

Keitelejazz Festival has become a major attraction. The energetic strains of rautalanka – retro guitar-driven rock music – ring

out every summer on the shores of Sumiainen. When the summer events are in full swing, steam trains puff between the Suo-

lahti and Äänekoski districts – an unforgettable step back in time. The Wanha Asema railway station and harbour of Suolahti

are well over a century old. Maintained in their original condition, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the history of local

culture and transport.

Amateur theatre thrives in Äänekoski. We also have a long tradition of filmmaking. For instance, film director and professor

Mikko Niskanen lived and worked in Konginkangas. The Suolahtisali hall is a top-notch and sought-after venue for many kinds

of cultural events. The ornate Äänekoski Art Museum dazzles your eyes even before you set foot inside! Sports enthusiasts will

also have the time of their lives: we maintain our sports fields, halls, skiing trails and ice arena in peak condition. Äänekoski has

dozens of sports clubs that can help you rise to the top in athletics, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey or football. Sometimes it

seems nearly everyone in town is either a member of these clubs or a supporter. We love our sports in Äänekoski!

joy

pleasure

life

Keitele Jazz. Photo: Kalevi Plattonen.

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Did you know thatall four urban districts of Äänekoski are on the shores of the lush Lake Keitele?

Nature – there’s no substitute!In Äänekoski, by the shores of the stunning Lake Keitele, you’re always close to the natural world.

Our town is located in the beautiful heart of Lakeland Finland – almost a third of the land is covered by

water. Here, nature welcomes you. Hike on inviting trails that wind through the forests and on the shores

of pristine lakes. Our crowning jewel is Kapeenniemi, a nature park area. There, outdoor enthusiasts can

fish in rapids and admire a conserved landscape. Thanks to an extensive network of trails and campfire

sites, Kapeenniemi is ideal for nature trips for the whole family.

nature

peace

freshness

Keitele in summertime. Photo: Outi Raatikainen.

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Did you know that Valio has been making its unique AURA blue cheese in Äänekoski since 1935, relying mainly on manual techniques?

Technology, research and industryÄänekoski has plenty of jobs. Our region is a hub for trailblazing companies with hi-tech, research and

R&D expertise. For instance, Äänekoski produces innovative power sources and the best tractors in the

world. Studies show that companies in Äänekoski make some of the greatest outlays on R&D in Finland.

In addition to technology, Äänekoski is known for its bustling wood and paper industry. Industrial

operations began way back in 1896, when Äänekoski Aktiebolag established groundwood and board

mills. Metsäliitto Group started its operations in Äänekoski in 1953 – and remains a major employer to

this day. The roots of our electronics industry go back to the 1970s.

The Hirvaskangas area is evolving into a major centre of rest stop and roadside services for people

from all over Finland. Its unique location will turn it into a magnet for business. And we shouldn’t

forget to mention the employment potential of themed entertainment and expert services in the

countryside! We’re keeping our eyes on the future and respecting the past!

jobs

top expertise

alternatives

Valtra’s tractor factory in Suolahti, Äänekoski. Photo: Valtra’s photo archives.

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Äänekoski is just right for everyoneWe want to provide attractive housing to both our current and future residents. You can find a dream

house of your own in a new lakeside residential area, next to the town or in the peaceful countryside,

even if you aren’t a millionaire. Of course, we also offer tenant-friendly rental housing. We’re zoning plots

for new homes all the time. For those who like to garden, a new allotment garden is being established

in Suojarinne, Suolahti. Äänekoski is the service centre of Central Finland – ideally located for both

those who want a wide range of services and activities and those who are yearning to enjoy the peaceful

countryside.

Did you know thatalmost 70% of the respondents to our survey would recommend Äänekoski as a place to live?(source: Innolink resident satisfaction survey)

Lapinkangas estate in Laajaranta, Konginkangas. Photo: Outi Raatikainen.

comfortable living

freedom

quality of life

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The Jyväskylä urban region comprises the towns of Äänekoski, Jämsä and Jyväskylä. It’s

Finland’s most central and vital urban area, home to 220,000 people. Äänekoski and its

close-by regions are the northernmost cornerstone of this area.

The Nelostie highway that runs through Finland leads to us from both the south and

the north. Jyväskylä is just a half hour’s drive away – in about 20 minutes you can reach

the Tikkakoski Airport, your gateway to the big cities of Finland and Europe! If you want

to shed all your cares and hurries in the summer, head out on the clear waters of Lake

Keitele on a ship or in your own boat.

You can reach Äänekoski by water from

as far away as Lahti!

Hallintokatu 4, 44100 Äänekoski, Finland • kirjaamo@aanekoski.fitel. +358 20 632 2000, fax +358 20 632 2005 • www.aanekoski.fi

Toivakka

Tikkakoski

Uurainen

Muurame

Korpilahti

JÄMSÄ

JYVÄSKYLÄ

ÄÄNEKOSKI

Laukaa

LievestuoreVaajakoski

Helsinki 270 kmLahti 170 km

Lahti 170 kmHelsinki 270 km

Tampere 150 km

Oulu 6–7 h

Oulu 340 km

Kuopio 160 km

Himos

Hirvaskangas

PalokkaPetäjävesi Hanka- salmi

Kuhmoinen

Suolahti

Towards the future

Kuopio 1.5–2 h

Helsinki 3.5 hTampere 1.5 h