Future 50 Years Growth, Establishing Innovation Foundations, Recreating Urban Value
Transportation, Industry, Tourism, Rural Areas, People: Promoting the '5 Major Projects'
Gumi City in Gyeongbuk has set its 2024 New Year administrative goal as "Opening the Era of a 2 Trillion Won Budget, Full-Scale Promotion of Gumi Re-Creation," and is preparing an "Innovation Foundation for Gumi's Future 50 Years of Growth."
To achieve the administrative goals, five major projects will be promoted: ① A major transformation of transportation infrastructure, significantly strengthening intercity connectivity; ② Expansion of economic territory and establishment of an innovative industrial ecosystem foundation; ③ Improvement of the tourism industry structure and realization of a romantic cultural city; ④ Future industrialization of agriculture and fostering prosperous rural areas; ⑤ Re-creation of urban value through human power and enhancement of soft power. These key policies aim to drive innovation.
The most fundamental and core factor for urban growth is high accessibility. Ahead of the relocation of Daegu-Gyeongbuk New Airport, the city plans to steadily expand the road network, including the construction of the Gumi-Gunwi Expressway, improvement of National Road No. 67, and improvement of Local Road No. 927. In addition, it will establish a railway network linked to the new airport, such as KTX-Eum stopping at Gumi Station and the establishment of Donggumi Station on the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Metropolitan Railroad, securing a multifaceted metropolitan transportation network.
The fostering of key strategic industries will also be intensified. In the semiconductor sector, infrastructure to improve the semiconductor supply chain will be secured by establishing a "Leading Technology R&D Center" and a "Manufacturing Testbed." In the defense sector, the city will build and operate an "Advanced Defense Industry Promotion Center" and a "Defense Specialized Development Research Institute" to support excellent companies entering the defense field. Furthermore, competitiveness will be secured in next-generation growth industries such as secondary batteries, robotics, and metaverse to promote sustainable economic growth.
The city plans to develop systematic tourism infrastructure by dividing its natural and cultural assets into four zones: Seonsan Zone, Downtown Zone, Indong Zone, and Nakdong River Zone. Additionally, festivals reflecting regional characteristics will be further enhanced, and large-scale sports events such as the 62nd Gyeongbuk Provincial Sports Festival and the 32nd Korea-China-Japan Junior Comprehensive Sports Competition will be hosted.
Efforts will also be made to revitalize the future value of rural areas and lead a major transformation in agriculture. Through the "Wheat Industry Valley Pilot Complex" and "Field Special Zone Pilot Operation," the self-sufficiency rate of wheat will be improved, and measures to compensate farmers' income due to decreased rice consumption will be prepared. Moreover, by signing the "Rural Agreement" and hosting the "National Conference of Korean Successor Agricultural Managers," a vibrant rural community will be created.
Finally, through people-centered and citizen-prioritized policies, Gumi will be developed into a city with high residential attractiveness. The scholarship system will be improved focusing on local talents, and conditions for youth settlement will be created through the "Youth Monthly Rent Support Project" and the establishment of "Complex Hub Cultural Spaces." Additionally, customized welfare focusing on basics will be provided, including operation of a neonatal intensive care center, strengthened support for infertile couples, and expansion of childbirth congratulatory allowances.
Gumi City has secured large-scale national and provincial government projects (891.4 billion won) and won public contest projects (505.2 billion won), opening the "2 Trillion Won Era (based on the main budget)" for the first time in history this year.
The main budget is 2 trillion 20 billion won for 2024 (a 9.95% increase compared to the 1.8208 trillion won main budget in 2023).
Mayor Kim Jang-ho expressed strong determination, saying, "The most important thing to realize Gumi Re-Creation is funding," and added, "Along with a solid financial foundation, we will strengthen the city's competitiveness through designation as a 'Opportunity Development Special Zone' and an 'Education Development Special Zone.'"
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