Changwon Special City Prepares 3.6998 Trillion Won Budget for Next Year... Revitalizing the Livelihood Economy

Realizing Changwon-style Integrated Welfare, Improving Residential Environment, and Strengthening Urban Competitiveness

Changwon City Hall, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Song Jong-gu] Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam announced on the 22nd that it has submitted the next year's budget proposal to the city council, focusing on realizing Changwon-style integrated welfare, revitalizing the livelihood economy, and improving residents' living environment.

The total scale of Changwon City's 2023 budget proposal is 3.6998 trillion KRW, an increase of 272.2 billion KRW (7.94%) compared to this year. The general account was organized at 3.241 trillion KRW, up 269.3 billion KRW (9.06%) from the previous year, and the special account was organized at 458.8 billion KRW, up 2.9 billion KRW (0.63%).

By major investment type, to revitalize the regional economy and prevent the outflow of young population, 2.1 billion KRW was allocated for Nubi-jeon operation, 2.4 billion KRW for small and medium enterprise capacity enhancement projects, 2.2 billion KRW for traditional market revitalization support projects, 7.8 billion KRW for 21 youth support policy projects including youth job-seeking activity support, and 64 billion KRW for 32 projects such as local community, public work, and senior jobs to expand employment safety nets and support the creation of a self-sustaining regional economic ecosystem.

Investment is strengthened to realize Changwon-style integrated welfare that leaves no one marginalized through customized support by life cycle. 497.7 billion KRW was reflected for elderly welfare projects such as basic pension and senior citizen center operation support, 162.4 billion KRW for disability welfare projects including disability pension and disability activity support, and 263 billion KRW for childcare support such as infant care fees and home care allowances. Also, 30 billion KRW for school meal support and 13 billion KRW for school education expenses including support for the construction of Buk-myeon No.1 High School (tentative name) were included.

Resources are actively invested to build a foundation for sustainable growth, enhance the competitiveness of future-oriented key industries, and foster new industries. 30 billion KRW was allocated for the expansion project of Changwon National Industrial Complex, 8.4 billion KRW for hydrogen industry development support including hydrogen component development and hydrogen charging station operation, 5 billion KRW for nuclear and defense industry promotion, and 2.1 billion KRW for fostering future new industries such as medical bio, mobility, and aerospace.

To promote safety and health closely related to residents' lives and respond to climate change and environmental crises, 4 billion KRW was invested in the improvement project of the natural disaster risk area (Anmin district), 2.2 billion KRW for the comprehensive maintenance project of flood and wind disaster living zones in Sinpo district, 7.6 billion KRW transferred to the disaster management fund, and 17.6 billion KRW for vaccination project expenses. In addition, 18 billion KRW was allocated for early scrapping support of old diesel vehicles, 1.8 billion KRW for installation of air pollution prevention facilities in small-scale workplaces, and 9 billion KRW for electric vehicle purchase support projects to strengthen investments for spreading safe daily life and establishing a green industry foundation.

To build convenient living infrastructure and enhance the city's dignity and cultural arts city brand, 15 billion KRW was allocated for the Sapa district urban development project, 17 billion KRW for urban regeneration New Deal projects including the creation of Seokjeon-dong Neighborhood Harmony Center, 22.1 billion KRW for the Wonil-daero S-BRT construction project, 4 billion KRW for cultural arts support projects such as Changdong Art Village and Burim Craft Village support, 7.4 billion KRW for the construction of Jinhae Cultural Center and library, and 1 billion KRW for the construction of Changwon City Art Museum.

The 2023 Changwon City budget proposal submitted this time is scheduled to be finalized after deliberation and resolution at the 120th Changwon City Council (2nd regular session) starting on the 25th.

Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, “We have strategically organized the budget to secure continuity of city administration and to revive Changwon, which has fallen into stagnation. Especially next year, through in-depth consideration of why Changwon across all fields including industry, culture, and welfare, we will create a Changwon Special City where all citizens can feel real changes.”