Hampyeong-gun Accelerates Key Projects to Lead Regional Economy's "New Leap"

Full Effort on Kumho Tire Relocation and Bitgeurin Industrial Complex Worker Housing Complex Development Projects

Aerial view of Bitgreen Industrial Complex. Photo by Hampyeong County

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Hampyeong-gun, facing the crisis of local extinction and population decline, is accelerating various pending projects to revitalize the local economy and make a new leap forward.

On the 11th, the county stated that it is making various efforts to attract young people, create jobs, and promote regional development.

First, the county established the ‘Kumho Tire Relocation Support TF Team’ to support administrative procedures for the relocation of Kumho Tire’s Gwangju factory to the Hampyeong Bitgreen Industrial Complex.

The land for the relocation of Kumho Tire’s Gwangju factory is in the second phase of the Bitgreen Industrial Complex project area, covering about 500,000㎡.

Kumho Tire plans to build a factory producing eco-friendly tires in the Bitgreen Industrial Complex area, contributing to the creation of about 2,200 jobs.

Additionally, by 2024, the Haebo Agricultural and Industrial Complex, previously 245,000㎡, will be expanded to 500,000㎡ to accelerate the establishment of industrial facilities for attracting automobile-related companies.

In this regard, the ‘Bitgreen Industrial Complex Workers’ Residential Complex Project’ is also underway.

Following the entry of Gwangju Global Motors (GGM) into the Bitgreen Industrial Complex and the confirmation of Kumho Tire’s Gwangju factory relocation, automobile-related companies are moving in one after another, helping to improve living conditions for workers.

Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) plans to develop a housing complex of 1,400 households (500 general sales units and 900 private rental units) on 104,636㎡ (about 32,000 pyeong) in Wolya-ri, Wolya-myeon, Hampyeong-gun over six years until 2026.

Through this, the county expects to revitalize the local economy and increase the population by attracting industrial complex workers to the area.

The ‘Hampyeong-eup Urban Regeneration New Deal Project’ is also being carried out to revitalize the old downtown area of Hampyeong-eup.

By 2023, a total project cost of 14.5 billion KRW (8.7 billion KRW national funds, 1.45 billion KRW provincial funds, 4.35 billion KRW county funds) will be invested to revitalize the old downtown area, including the renovation of old houses to restore residential functions and the construction of the Nabi Eoullim Center to restore administrative service functions.

Through the promotion of the regeneration project for the deteriorated old downtown area of Hampyeong-eup, the county aims to secure growth momentum, contribute to local economic revitalization, strengthen urban competitiveness, and improve the quality of life for residents.

To increase the population by attracting urban residents, the ‘Haebo Nongtopia Rural Housing Complex Project’ is also being actively promoted, with plans to develop a housing complex on 99,807㎡ (about 30,000 pyeong) in Sannae-ri, Haebo-myeon by 2024.

The project will include 57 houses, 4 agricultural land plots, 17 garden plots, 1 community center, and 1 retention basin, aiming to respond to local extinction caused by population decline through the influx of returnees to farming and rural areas.

The ‘Gigak Old Downtown District Urban Planning Road Construction Project’ is also underway to establish a safe and convenient road environment.

The county plans to invest a total of 35.7 billion KRW (100% county funds) over 10 years until 2029 to open urban planning roads in 10 zones in Gigak-ri and Hampyeong-ri, Hampyeong-eup.

Currently, construction is underway in Zone 1 (Hampyeong County Office to Rural Development Administration road expansion) and Zone 2 (Nonghyup Central Association to Land Information Songga road expansion).

Through sequential road construction, the county plans not only to establish a convenient road environment by maintaining urban planning roads in the old downtown area but also to reorganize urban planning facilities (roads) in the old downtown area according to development plans related to the LH Happy Housing and other urban regeneration New Deal projects.

This will provide a pleasant and convenient residential environment where education, administration, and commercial areas harmonize.

County Governor Lee Sang-ik said, “If the latter two years of the 7th local government term were dedicated to looking at Hampyeong-gun’s next 10 years, the four years of the 8th term will be focused on expecting Hampyeong’s next 30 years, moving forward together with residents and public officials.” He added, “We will continue to devote all efforts to various pending projects that can improve residents’ quality of life and contribute to regional development, and do our best to lead changes in Hampyeong that residents can feel.”