"Support for Small Businesses and Revitalization of the Old Downtown Economy Expected"
Damyang County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Jung Chulwon) announced on July 30 that it has recently designated "Damyang Jungang Alley-type Shopping District" as the county's first alley-type shopping district.
The Damyang Jungang Alley-type Shopping District covers an area of 40,227 square meters around Jungang-ro in Damyang-eup, with 224 stores concentrated in the area. Currently, 107 stores have registered as Onnuri Gift Certificate affiliates. At these affiliate stores, customers can receive a 10% discount when purchasing gift certificates, and a "Digital Onnuri 10% Refund Event" is also underway, where 10% of the payment amount is refunded for digital payments.
Through this, both residents and tourists are expected to be able to spend more economically, and it is anticipated to help revitalize the shopping district. Alley-type shopping districts are areas that are not registered as traditional markets or shopping districts but, if certain conditions are met, are institutionalized to allow small business owners to receive support benefits.
Designated shopping districts are granted eligibility to participate in government and Jeollanam-do public projects, as well as registration as Onnuri Gift Certificate affiliates, and can receive various support such as joint marketing and improvements to the business environment.
Prior to this designation, the county revised its ordinance to ease requirements such as the number of stores, allowing shopping districts led by business owners to also receive institutional support.
A county official explained, "Until now, many areas in the old downtown of Damyang-eup were excluded from small business support because they were not registered as traditional markets," adding, "With this designation, we will be able to resolve these blind spots in support."
Going forward, the county plans to strengthen connections with traditional markets, local food stores, and tourist area commercial districts to boost the vitality of the old downtown's commercial area. Starting with this first designation, the county will continue to identify and designate additional small-scale commercial districts within its jurisdiction. In the long term, the county aims to connect the old downtown of Damyang-eup with nearby tourist area commercial districts to promote balanced growth throughout the local economy.
Governor Jung Chulwon stated, "We hope that the designation of Damyang's first alley-type shopping district will invigorate local small businesses and greatly contribute to revitalizing the local economy in connection with the old downtown." He added, "We will continue to listen closely to merchants and provide tailored support that can be truly felt."
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