Haenam's Counterattack Against Regional Decline: Secures 100 Billion Won for Two National Facilities

110 Billion Won in National Funding Secured for Next Year... Construction Set to Begin
Groundbreaking for Agricultural and Food Climate Center and Carbon Neutral Edu Center

Key facilities that will address national issues such as climate change response and carbon neutrality are set to be established one after another in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province.

On December 14, Haenam County announced that the 2026 government budget bill, which passed the National Assembly earlier this month, includes 5 billion won for the creation of the Agricultural and Food Climate Change Response Center and 6 billion won for the construction of the Carbon Neutral Edu Center. Both projects are scheduled to break ground next year.

Perspective view of the Agricultural and Food Climate Change Response Center to be constructed next year in Haenam. Provided by Haenam County

The Agricultural and Food Climate Change Response Center, which is being directly promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, will serve as a specialized institution overseeing climate change response work in the agricultural and food sector nationwide. With a total project budget of 59.4 billion won, it will be built on a 3-hectare site in Pyeonghwal-ri, Samsan-myeon, Haenam County.

The detailed design is currently underway, with construction set to begin in the second half of next year and operations targeted for 2028. Since being selected through a public contest in 2021, Haenam County has sequentially completed administrative procedures, including a preliminary feasibility study in 2022, the establishment of a basic plan in 2023, and the revision of the county management plan in 2024.

The county expects that securing national funding will accelerate the establishment of the center. The Carbon Neutral Edu Center, which will oversee national carbon neutrality education, has also secured 6 billion won for construction and will break ground next year.

This center, to be located within the Solaseado Corporate City in Sani-myeon, Haenam County, is overseen by the Ministry of Environment, with design by the Korea Environment Corporation and future operations to be managed by the Korea Environment Preservation Agency. The total project cost is 38.9 billion won, with funding from national and local governments as well as private investment.

The Agricultural and Food Climate Change Response Center is expected to function as a key hub for climate change response in the agricultural and food sector, including the establishment of national climate change response strategies, management and research of climate-related data, support for carbon reduction and adaptation policies through private sector demonstrations, and education and public relations for farmers and consumers.

Haenam County plans to relocate and integrate the Jeonnam Provincial Fruit Research Institute around the center and is developing an agricultural research complex covering approximately 100 hectares. The county aims to build a research and demonstration-centered industry-academia-research cluster by strengthening R&D functions, developing new varieties and technologies, and attracting agri-food related companies.

The Carbon Neutral Edu Center, scheduled for completion in 2028, will serve as a national environmental education hub combining education, experience, and exhibitions, with the goal of spreading a culture of practical climate crisis response among the public and strengthening environmental education for future generations.

County Governor Myung Hyun-kwan stated, "Once these two centers are fully operational, Haenam will play a key role in addressing national challenges," adding, "We also expect them to contribute to revitalizing the local economy by creating jobs and securing future growth engines."

He continued, "I would like to thank National Assemblyman Park Ji-won for his efforts in securing national funding, and we will work closely with government ministries and the National Assembly to ensure the smooth implementation of these projects."