| Krustpils castle
 Riga bishop Nicholas of Magdeburg in 1237 built a castle (Kreutzburg) on the right coast of the Daugava. A settlement gradually developed around the castle. In 1511 the records of the bishop’s estates already mention Krustpils as a village. In 1920 Krustpils was granted rights of a city.
In the 17th century a settlement of barge haulers and raftsmen was established on the left coast of Daugava near the Sala inn. The duke of Kurzeme Jēkabs (Jacob) in 1670 granted the rights of a city and the name of Jakobstadt, Jēkaba miests, Jēkabpils to the settlement.
The towns have much suffered from wars and fire. After the 17th century war between Poland and Sweden Krustpils stagnated up to the middle of 19th century. During World War 1 artillery fire destroyed 280 houses in Jēkabpils. Renewal and development of the cities were facilitated by the convenient trade routes along the Daugava and the railway line opened in 1861 Several companies were established here – lime kiln and brick production facility, wool processing facility, mill. 4 musical instrument factories employed approximately 2000 people in the shift of 19th and 20th century. The towns gradually developed into trade and culture centres.
Jёkabpils become the most important city of Augšzeme in 1919 when the regional government moved here from Jaunjelgava. Food and construction materials production developed in the 1920s and 1930s In 1932 the largest company of that time, a sugar plant, was built.
 Both cities are connected by a ferry across the Daugava established in 1764 and abridge built in 1936. The life of the bridge is short because the Soviet Army blows up a section of the bridge and in 1944 the Wehrmacht destroys the bridge completely. The bridge is built again in 1962. At the same time both cities are merged administratively, keeping the name of Jēkabpils.
The dam built in 1982 protects the city against flood
Unfortunately, people from rural areas sometimes have to face spring floods
According to the data of the Register of Business Support, at present 1624 companies operating in different sectors operate in the city. The largest sectors are wood processing, timber industry, furniture production, textile and trade.
During the past few years supermarkets “Beta”, “Mego” and “Rimi” have been built in the city. The shops of household appliances also expand. The number of fuel and gas filling stations is growing. The largest companies are Lukoil, Dinaz, Viada, RNSD.
The most successful companies in the production sector are the wood processing companies “Ošukalns”, “ULD”, “Sēlijas mežs”, “Brēķu studenti”. They produce furniture and prepare it for export to different countries.
The most successful food producers are the meat processing companies “Serho 777” and “Everit” as well as the dairy company “Jēkabpils piena kombināts”.
The brand of the textile company “Viola-Stils” is recognised in Germany, Italy and Scandinavian countries. The products of the textile company “Asote 2” is competitive in the European market. The demand for the Jēkabpils “kangaroo bags” for carrying children is very high in other countries. The Latvian and Swedish joint venture “Gefa Latvija” also produces goods for foreign market.
The construction volumes in the city grow year by year. Construction services in the city are provided by the companies “Viadukts”, “Jēkabpils PMK”, “Indriķis”, “Oškalns celtniecība” and “Lauku celtnieks”.
Individually employed people perform different works. They provide medical services, operate beauty saloons and barber’s shops, make clothes and decorative items, provide veterinary services and animal care.
Jēkabpils develops constantly. The basic provisions for development of Jēkabpils business, culture, tourism and other sectors have been stated in Jēkabpils city development program until 2011. |