Expansion of Resident-Focused Projects Such as Local Gift Certificates and Rural Direct Payments
Strengthening Competitiveness Through Smart Farms and Cultural Spaces
On August 22, Gongju City in South Chungcheong Province announced that it has submitted a second supplementary budget for this year, totaling 1.3141 trillion won, to the Gongju City Council.
This represents an increase of 149.4 billion won (12.8%) compared to the original budget of 1.1647 trillion won. The budget consists of 1.1887 trillion won for the general account and 125.4 billion won for the special account.
The city emphasized that this supplementary budget focuses on revitalizing the local economy and boosting regional vitality, even within the government’s fiscal soundness policy.
In particular, the city plans to stimulate local consumption and support economic recovery by allocating 8 billion won for the operation of the local gift certificate (Gongju Pay), 31.7 billion won for consumer coupons to support economic recovery, and 21.1 billion won for public direct payments in agriculture and rural areas.
Projects closely related to residents’ daily lives have also been strengthened. The budget includes 300 million won for “Adopt a Local Address” incentives, 500 million won for housing loan interest support for families with multiple children, 700 million won for the expansion and paving of City Road No. 8, 1 billion won for water supply area expansion, and 500 million won for the replacement and maintenance of aging water pipes, all expected to further improve citizens’ convenience.
Notable investments have also been made to enhance regional competitiveness. The budget reflects 3 billion won for smart farm facility funding, 3 billion won for the creation of a Gongju culinary culture space, 1 billion won for waterfront recreational space in the Singwan Ssangsin district, 1.1 billion won for transforming the abandoned Yugu textile factory into a cultural and arts space, and 700 million won for the purchase of public accommodations for foreign seasonal workers, laying the groundwork for future growth in agriculture, culture, and tourism.
Mayor Choi Woncheol stated, “Despite limited resources, we have concentrated funding on projects that citizens can directly feel,” adding, “We will swiftly execute the budget as soon as it is finalized to stabilize livelihoods and revitalize the local community.”
Meanwhile, this supplementary budget proposal will be finalized on September 8 after deliberation by the Gongju City Council.
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