Jerzy Z. Pająk (The Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce) Jerzy Szczepański (The Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce) The beginnings of Kielce industry Modern industries in Kielce appeared late – only in the second half of the nineteenth century. The first industrial facility applying modern technology and organization of production we can discuss is Marble Kielce which was established in 1876. Since that time, however, development in the city of industry has proceeded very quickly. The development of the industry in Kielce comprises three types of premises – the development surrounding industry in the Old Polish Industrial District, the development of communication (access roads, especially the Warsaw – Cracow road and railway line), and the local potential for skilled personnel, and for commodities. The Kielce city advancement, despite its becoming a province in 1816, was small. It was only in 1825 when the town population exceeded 3,000 people, in year 1827 it was 4535. Rapid population growth occurred after the abolition of the privilege de non tolerandis Judaeis banning Jews from settling in the city, which took place in 1862. In 1874 there were two manufactures of soap, three breweries, three brickyards, a lime kiln and tannery in Kielce. The total number of people employed there had as many as 60 people, and was dominated by small craft industries. In 1876 there were already 13 factories in Kielce, and in 1913 there the number rose to 29, with 536 workers.