industrial and mining city and many wooden houses were demolished to make room for brick buildings. Skellefteå is now trying to become a leading city in education with the construction of Floraskolan, a school that mostly focuses on entrepreneurial learning. It will become the home of a massive battery plant made by Northvolt by circa 2023. The largest private employer in Skellefteå is the mining company Boliden AB, with about 1,200 employees. The mine's copper ore contains particles of gold, silver and platinum. Skellefteå is still referred to as the "Goldtown". During the 1990s, the computer industry flourished, subsidiaries of Ericsson and Tieto Enator becoming important employers. Climate Skellefteå is transitioning from a subarctic climate (Dfc) to continental with mild summers and cold, snowy winters. In the 21st century the climate has more resembled the latter. The climate is somewhat moderated by the Bothnia Bay, although maritime effects are limited, ensuring very warm summer temperatures for a coastal area so far north. Industry Boliden AB, a big mining and smelting company Skellefteå Kraft, largest power company in Skellefteå Northvolt, lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing company Transportation The European route E4 highway provides the main road connection to the city, providing direct connections to cities like Stockholm and Sundsvall going south and Luleå going north. Riksväg 95 also serves the city. There is a railway branch line running through Skellefteå, although with no passenger traffic, making it the largest city in Sweden without it. The line is still served by Freight traffic. There were plans to start night trains going from Stockholm to Skellefteå, with service being expected to commence in April 2022. Due to a decision from Trafikverket, the planned night trains were cancelled before they started running. The closest train station in use is located in Bastuträsk, from which trains heading to several cities including Stockholm, Umeå and Luleå depart, operated by Norrtåg and Vy. There goes a bus to Skellefteå from Bastuträsk, intended for transfers to and from the trains. Sports Skellefteå AIK, an ice hockey team in the highest Swedish league, Swedish Hockey League (SHL). 1978, 2013 and 2014 Swedish Champions. Morön BK, football club playing in Division 3 Norrland Skellefteå FF, football club playing in Division 2 Norrland Sunnanå SK, women's football (soccer) Skellefteå IBK, floorball club Skellefteå Innebandy IF, floorball club The Skellefteå Kraft Grandmaster Chess Cup 1999, one of the strongest all Swedish chess tournaments