Ganghwa County Allocates 661.2 Billion Won for Next Year's Main Budget

[Suwon Ilbo=Choi Ki-ho] Ganghwa County announced on the 24th that it has compiled a main budget of 661.2 billion won for next year and submitted it to the Ganghwa County Council.

This represents an increase of 3.41% (21.8 billion won) compared to this year's main budget. The county has secured 201.4 billion won in national treasury subsidies, a 11.1% increase from the previous year, and 92 billion won in provincial subsidies, an 11.4% increase from the previous year.

Despite difficult revenue conditions with anticipated decreases in local taxes and local allocation taxes due to next year's economic uncertainty, the county achieved these results through proactive business development tailored to local circumstances and strategic response activities including visits to relevant government departments.

The county compiled the budget with a focus on improving residents' quality of life in areas such as safety, welfare, and regional balance that can be felt in daily life by residents, as well as major projects of the eighth popular election, through strategic and efficient financial management.

Examining major projects for next year, to promote customized welfare services for socially vulnerable groups and comprehensive welfare policies, the county allocated ▲66.4 billion won for basic pension and senior living stability support projects ▲11.3 billion won for disability pension and activity support projects ▲27 billion won for children and infant support projects ▲13.3 billion won for senior job and social activity support projects ▲1.3 billion won for free transportation support for seniors ▲3.7 billion won for senior center facility and operation support projects.

For regional balanced development including revitalization of the local economy and improvement of settlement conditions, the county reflected ▲5.6 billion won for Oepogwon region fishing village new deal projects ▲4.5 billion won for Jumun, Boleum, and Acha road expansion projects ▲2.6 billion won for happy village beautification projects ▲1.7 billion won for public and youth job and startup activity projects ▲900 million won for traditional and conventional market facility modernization projects.

To promote culture, sports, and tourism activation so as to guarantee residents' safe daily life from various social and natural disasters and to foster pride in living in the region, the county will allocate ▲22.4 billion won for river and dike projects ▲5.1 billion won for park theme landscaping projects ▲1.6 billion won for smart village solution distribution projects ▲2.6 billion won for Hwaegae Mountain tourism resource expansion projects ▲700 million won for security light installation projects to address senseless assault.

To create future growth foundations for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, the county's core industries, and to pursue stable income increases, it allocated ▲6.4 billion won for farmer and fisherman allowance support projects ▲5.2 billion won for local farm village creation projects ▲2.3 billion won for local fishing port maintenance and pier installation projects ▲2.5 billion won for agricultural machinery bank western branch construction projects ▲1.4 billion won for livestock farm raising environment improvement projects.

County Governor Yu Cheon-ho stated, "In difficult fiscal circumstances, through selection and focus, we compiled the budget centered on projects absolutely necessary for our residents and Ganghwa's future," and added, "We will do our best to ensure all residents can live comfortably and happily by prioritizing projects that residents can feel in their daily lives."