In 2004, a number of neighbouring municipalities joined the Standortförderung Region Winterthur (formerly Stadtmarketing Winterthur) as members. Winterthur is becoming increasingly important as a commercial hub and the place to live, and it is also benefiting from synergies with the region. The organisation, which is jointly funded by private enterprise and the state, is facing new challenges. In terms of competition between locations, not only the city, but also the whole region of Winterthur has to compete against other commercial hubs.