in the food industry, specializing in processing
fruits, especially apples. Most of the factories were in the Biegonice
district. Now the local government is trying change the structure of the
industry, restructuring old factories and encouraging new companies to start
up. This initiative also includes a move to hi-tech industry. Nowy Sącz had one
of the first computer companies in Poland, with the largest assembly plant in
Europe, but this has closed due to ownership friction with the government. The
building trade is also represented in the town, which has a major European
window-manufacturer. Like all the bigger towns in Lesser Poland, it has seen a
significant influx of the largest European grocery chains.
A main economic problem now is the high
level of unemployment which, officially about 20%, is one of the highest in the
European Union. Recently the local government has tried to address the
persistent economic and social problems of the local Romani community,
including access to utilities and education
