[Jeongeup=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Jeongeup City in Jeollabuk-do announced on the 25th that it was the only business site selected in Jeollabuk-do for the 6th Commercial District Revitalization Contest organized by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
Following the contest selection, the city will secure a total project budget of 8 billion KRW, including national and provincial funds, over five years from next year until 2027 to revitalize the old downtown commercial district.
The commercial district revitalization project designates the deteriorated and declining old downtown commercial district as a ‘Commercial Revitalization Zone’ and aims to induce the revival of the commercial district by creating distinctive commercial areas through comprehensive support.
The city designated Saemgoeul Market and the shopping streets of Jungang-ro, Saeam-gil, and Uam-ro as the Commercial Revitalization Zone (Saemgoeul Jeongdaun Commercial District) and plans to promote various commercial environment improvement and revitalization projects under the theme of ‘a commercial district sharing local affection and enjoying culture.’
Specifically, the city will develop specialized products and brands suited to the characteristics of the commercial district, support theme zone operations actively utilizing local resources, and assist in commercial district promotion and marketing.
Through environmental improvement projects such as creating themed design streets, the city plans to actively attract not only Jeongeup citizens but also external tourists.
While preparing for the contest project, the city formed a commercial district council consisting of representatives of merchants from Saemgoeul Market and the shopping streets of Jungang-ro, Saeam-gil, and Uam-ro, and prepared a business plan that reflects the unique characteristics of the commercial district through close communication and consultation.
In particular, Mayor Lee Hak-su personally appeared as the presenter during the on-site and presentation evaluations of the contest project, strongly emphasizing the necessity and justification of the project to central government ministries.
The city expects that this project will have effects such as expanding infrastructure including attractions and entertainment in the market commercial district brand, establishing a sustainable commercial district foundation through strengthening merchant capabilities, and creating synergy effects with various linked projects.
Additionally, it is anticipated that Saemgoeul Market and surrounding shopping streets, which retain the city’s uniqueness, will be reborn with a modern sensibility, supplementing commercial district inflow factors and strengthening related historical and cultural content.
Mayor Lee Hak-su said, “This is the result of the efforts of local merchants, citizens, and related officials who have a strong desire for commercial district revitalization,” and added, “I would like to thank the merchant representatives and all merchants who worked hard for the contest project selection.”
He continued, “Going forward, through the promotion of the contest project, we will do our best to create ‘Saemgoeul Jeongdaun Commercial District,’ which gives hope to merchants and attracts customers by combining digital and cultural assets and building infrastructure suited to the new environment.”
Jeongeup=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil baekok@asiae.co.kr
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