Gwangju Seo-gu 'Hope Guide Support Project' Records Competition Rate of 5 to 1

Published 12 Apr.2023 11:15(KST)

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) announced on the 12th that the ‘Hope Guide Support Project’ for small business owners facing difficulties recorded a competition rate of 5 to 1.

Since February until the end of last month, Seo-gu recruited candidates for the Hope Guide Support Project, which supports small business owners operating businesses in the district with environmental improvements such as outdoor signboard replacement and interior and exterior renovations, as well as promotional material production and advertising expenses.

Seo-gu Small Business Management Support Center Photo [Photo by Seo-gu]

In the business environment improvement category, 434 businesses applied for 75 available spots, while in the promotion and marketing category, 164 businesses applied for 50 available spots.

In particular, interest from small business owners in the support project greatly increased this year, with 598 businesses applying, which is seven times more than last year’s 86 businesses.

In this regard, Seo-gu interprets this as a result of proactive administration on the ground to revitalize the neighborhood economy and ensure the effectiveness of the project.

Seo-gu also sought policy continuity by actively promoting the Hope Guide Support Project to recipients of the heating cost support project, which was implemented recently to reduce the economic burden on small business owners due to rising oil prices.

Additionally, staff at the Seo-gu Small Business Management Support Center, which opened last month, collaborated with 18 dong administrative welfare centers to inform residents in detail about the support project and encouraged small business owners to apply through residents’ autonomy committees and self-governing organizations.

Mayor Kim Ikang of Seo-gu said, “At a time when we are recovering from COVID-19 and returning to normal life, support policies that empower small business owners are urgently needed more than ever. The Small Business Management Support Center will serve as a platform to help small business owners stand back up and revitalize the neighborhood economy, and we will consider additional support for small business owners based on the district’s situation and conditions.”

Meanwhile, on the 13th, Seo-gu plans to form a Small Business Support Committee centered on Seo-gu Office, Seo-gu Council, Small Enterprise and Market Service, Gwangju Economic Employment Promotion Agency, and economic and startup experts to finalize the selection of recipients for the Hope Guide Support Project.

The project will provide a total of 200 million KRW, with 2 million KRW per business in the business environment improvement category and 1 million KRW per business in the promotion and marketing category.