Hongcheon County Selected for Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 'Commercial District Revitalization Contest'... Hopes High for Downtown Renewal

Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province has been selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' '2026 Commercial District Revitalization Contest.' As a result, the county will implement a five-year project from 2026 to 2030 with a total budget of 6.6 billion won (3.3 billion won from the national government, 1 billion won from the provincial government, and 2.3 billion won from the county budget).

Hongcheon County Selected for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 'Commercial District Revitalization Contest'. Photo by Hongcheon County

The Commercial District Revitalization Project is a government-supported initiative that enables merchants and local residents to voluntarily participate in restoring declining commercial districts and to establish and implement customized revitalization plans for their communities.

Previously, the county conducted a thorough analysis of issues in the old downtown area through the Ministry's 'Neighborhood Commercial District Development Support Project' and developed a growth strategy linked to the local specialty beer industry. The selection in this contest is seen as a result of these preparations and the establishment of a differentiated strategy.

The project site covers approximately 450 meters (15,500㎡) in the Sinjangdaeri area of Hongcheon-eup, which will be designated as the 'Hongcheon Hongmaek Autonomous Commercial District.' The project will be led by the Sinjangdaeri Autonomous Commercial District Cooperative (headed by Kim Kyungho), with collaboration from local organizations, businesses, and experts, leveraging the creativity and flexibility of the private sector.

Key initiatives include establishing a joint brand for the 'Hongmaek' commercial district themed around beer, developing specialized marketing strategies, and creating themed streets and experiential spaces. Through these programs, the county aims to transform vacant stores into startup hubs, attract not only local visitors but also tourists from outside the area, revitalize the stagnant commercial district, and boost the local economy.

Shin Youngjae, Mayor of Hongcheon County, stated, "With this selection, we will create a unique commercial district that embodies Hongcheon’s distinct characteristics and deliver tangible results that merchants and residents can truly experience. We are committed to revitalizing the local economy by establishing a sustainable commercial district model."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.