Icheon City Secures 70 Billion Won in Government and Provincial Subsidies for 2024... 'Already Surpassing Initial Targets'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Icheon City announced on the 3rd that it has secured a total of 70 billion won (as of October) in government and provincial subsidy projects led by central government ministries and Gyeonggi Province.

Considering that last year's acquisition (37.1 billion won) was the highest amount secured by Icheon City over the past five years, this year's growth is notably pronounced.

In particular, depending on the results of 29 subsidy projects (44.6 billion won in government and provincial funds) scheduled for announcement in the second half, the possibility of surpassing the 100 billion won mark is anticipated.

This is understood as a result of the city's efforts to wisely overcome its increasingly difficult financial situation through subsidy projects, beginning with 'government and provincial fund acquisition capacity-building education' in February, followed by production and distribution of a 'government and provincial subsidy project guidebook,' and hosting of 'government and provincial subsidy project discovery briefings and interim reports.'

Moreover, the city proactively analyzed central government and Gyeonggi Province budgets prior to subsidy project announcements, selectively identified subsidy projects tailored to the city's circumstances, and produced guidebooks to effectively prepare for subsidy projects.

Additionally, the city maintained a coordinated cooperation system among National Assembly Member Song Seok-jun and Provincial Council Members Heo Won and Kim Il-joong until the final selection of government and provincial subsidy projects, making efforts to explain the necessity of projects and persuade relevant officials through visits to central ministries and Gyeonggi Province.

Furthermore, Mayor Kim Kyung-hee and Policy Senior Secretary Jung Jung-seok actively supported project departments in responding to subsidy projects strategically and promptly by sharing government and provincial subsidy project information and implementation know-how accumulated through their central government careers with project departments to increase the possibility of selection.

As a result, the city achieved an average government and provincial subsidy project acquisition of 53.5 billion won over two years (2023-2024) since the launch of the 8th popular election term, recording more than three times the previous two-year average (2021-2022) of 17.1 billion won.

Meanwhile, the city identified a total of 120 government and provincial subsidy projects worth approximately 241.2 billion won this year and strategically applied for projects related to regional development and improvement of residents' living conditions. As a result, 48 projects have been selected to date, securing 70 billion won, with the acquisition scale expected to increase further by year-end.

Mayor Kim Kyung-hee of Icheon City stated, "This is a result of our consistent efforts to secure government and provincial funds despite the financial crisis caused by decreased tax revenue, ensuring seamless pursuit of projects for citizens," and added, "We hope that additional ongoing projects will yield positive results and allow us to repay citizens' trust."