Gwanak-gu Promotes ‘2023 Comprehensive Support Plan for Small Business Owners’
A Total of 10.9 Billion KRW Invested in 17 Projects Across 3 Areas Including Support for Small Business Recovery
Newly Established Projects Include Alley Market Content Festival, Alley Market Local Brand Development, and Strengthening Small Business Flood and Wind Disaster Response
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) has established and begun implementing the ‘2023 Comprehensive Support Plan for Small Business Owners’ to revitalize the local economy and alley markets.
With the goal of revitalizing the local economy based on the competitiveness of small business owners, a total of 10.9 billion KRW will be invested in 17 projects across three areas: ▲support for small business recovery ▲enhancement of alley market competitiveness ▲promotion of local economic consumption.
To support small business recovery, the district will invest 3 billion KRW in loans from the Small and Medium Business Development Fund and continue projects such as the Gwanak-style Artterior project for store environment improvement, SNS promotional content support, online open market entry support, and support for benevolent landlords.
In particular, the newly established ‘Small Business Flood and Wind Disaster Response Strengthening Project’ will support 70-91% of flood and wind disaster insurance premiums to strengthen disaster response capabilities and minimize damage for small business owners in disaster-vulnerable areas.
To enhance alley market competitiveness, the district will promote the 2nd term Alley Market Merchants University and support merchant study group activities to continuously strengthen the market’s capabilities.
Starting this year, the number of core alley market stores targeted for discovery and development support will expand from 4 to 8 locations, providing content development support and customized consulting. The Merchants University will be operated in two zones, Sillim and Bongcheon, to improve accessibility for participants. Additionally, a new ‘Local Brand Development Project’ will be launched, inviting proposals for brand development planning by local creators with content planning capabilities to link with alley markets.
To promote local economic consumption, Gwanak Love Gift Certificates will be issued up to a maximum of 50 billion KRW, and integrated events to promote alley market content festivals and market usage will also be held.
Furthermore, to help small business owners easily view various support projects and avoid missing application periods, the ‘2023 Gwanak-gu Alley Market and Small Business Support Policy’ booklet has been produced and posted on the website as well as made available at local community centers.
Meanwhile, last year, the district received the Excellence Award at the Alley Economy Support Project Best Practice Presentation Contest and the Grand Prize in the Local Government Policy category at the Korea Local Government Awards. The ‘Seorim Dabok-gil’ market was selected for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Alley Economy Recovery Support Project competition, securing a special grant of 470 million KRW, earning positive external recognition.
Park Jun-hee, Mayor of Gwanak-gu, said, “Through multifaceted projects for small business owners amid changing environments, we plan to lead the revitalization of alley markets and provide support to minimize damage in crisis situations, injecting vitality into the local economy.”
Gangbuk-gu, 2023 Gangbuk-gu Cold Wave Overcoming
Special Support Fund for Small Tenant Business Owners
Total Budget Secured 900 Million KRW, Planned Payment of 100,000 KRW Each to Approximately 9,000 Business Sites in the Area
Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) announced that it will provide special support funds to ease the economic burden of small tenant business owners struggling due to prolonged economic downturn caused by COVID-19, cold waves, and public utility fee increases.
The support targets small tenant business owners whose main business registration address is in Gangbuk-gu, with annual sales under 200 million KRW in 2021 or 2022, and who opened their tenant or store business before December 31, 2022.
Ineligible recipients include businesses that are closed or suspended, entertainment facilities, industries restricted from loan support, professionals such as lawyers, accountants, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, non-profit corporations, schools, religious organizations, and other public facilities.
Small business owners applying for the support fund can apply online via the Gangbuk-gu website from March 20 to April 14. Applicants must attach supporting documents such as the application form, business registration certificate, lease contract, and value-added tax standard certificate. Detailed documents and other information can be found on the Gangbuk-gu website (Notices).
For those who have difficulty applying online, in-person applications can be submitted at the on-site reception desk located on the basement level 1 of Gangbuk-gu Office from March 20 to April 14.
If confirmed as eligible, the support fund will be paid within 10 business days from the application date. For inquiries, contact the Gangbuk-gu Regional Economy Division.
Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “We hope this support fund will provide some relief to small business owners in the area who are struggling due to sudden cold waves, high interest rates, and rising public utility fees. Gangbuk-gu will continue to make multifaceted efforts to support the lives of residents.”
Seocho-gu ‘Youth Media Creator’ Training
District to Recruit 70 Youths Aged 19 to 39 for Media Creator Training Program
Preliminary Demand Survey via Google Form QR Code Open Until the 28th; Individual Text Messages to Be Sent to Survey Participants When Recruiting Students Next Month
Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) is recruiting trainees to participate in the ‘Seocho-gu Media Creator Training Course,’ which connects young people’s creative ideas to employment and entrepreneurship related to one-person media.
The recruitment target is youths aged 19 to 39 residing in Seocho-gu, with a total of 70 trainees: 20 each for the 9th, 10th, and 11th basic courses, and 10 for the advanced course.
The basic training course will be held from March to July, with weekday and weekend classes organized according to trainees’ preferences to reduce attendance burden. The advanced course will run from August to October.
The basic media creator training will be conducted online and offline over approximately 13 weeks, covering key topics such as media content planning, video shooting, and editing. Trainees who complete the course with excellent grades will be given priority for the advanced course. The advanced course lasts 13 weeks and offers advanced skills in video shooting and editing, as well as personalized strategies needed for practical application. It also includes diverse content such as promotional strategies tailored to individual characteristics and one-on-one mentoring sessions with active creators.
The district will accept preliminary demand surveys via a Google Form QR code until the end of this month and will send individual text messages to survey participants when recruiting students in March. The selection process includes a first-round document screening followed by non-face-to-face interviews for successful candidates, with final results announced thereafter. For application and detailed inquiries, contact the Seocho-gu Office Child and Youth Division.
Last year, a total of 72 people participated in the training, which was conducted over four sessions including three basic courses and one advanced course. The program covered practical video editing skills, channel growth strategies, and monetization plans. It also featured a talk concert with a famous creator and midterm and final project screenings to strengthen networking among trainees.
Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “We will continue to do our best to help youths wandering before the high wall of employment find the jobs they want through Seocho-gu’s differentiated employment support strategies.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
