Municipality of Jegunovce
Former Yugoslav chromium powerhouse turned post-industrial municipality, with Kosovo crossing and adventure tourism potential.
Jegunovce exists where chromium deposits attracted Yugoslav industrial planners seeking strategic metal production. This municipality of 8,895 residents in the Polog region grew from village to industrial settlement after World War II, when the Jugohrom metallurgical plant became one of Yugoslavia's largest employers. The plant processed chromium from local deposits until post-independence market transitions forced closure (2006), reopening (2009), and ongoing uncertainty.
The formation era concentrated population around heavy industry while the municipality's 174 square kilometers maintained agricultural and pastoral traditions elsewhere. The Kosovo border to the north and east provides economic and strategic significance—a single crossing point connects to the neighboring country via the international regional road R-1203. The Skopje-Tetovo-Kičevo railway traverses the municipality, adding transport value to the geographic position.
Today Jegunovce navigates post-industrial transition while leveraging natural resources. Dolomite deposits offer mining potential; Vratničko Lake (410,000 cubic meters) irrigates vineyards and supports recreation and fishing tourism. The municipality maintains hiking trails for adventure tourism, archaeological sites, and traditional cuisine potential. The Polog region's economy remains dominated by trade and repair services (22%) and manufacturing (12.4%), with construction representing 8.9%.
By 2026, Jegunovce's chromium legacy demonstrates both the opportunities and vulnerabilities of heavy industrial development in transition economies. The metallurgical infrastructure remains, but demand volatility and global competition challenge restart viability. Tourism and agriculture offer diversification paths that reduce dependence on single-industry employment.