Applications are open through June 25, with up to 2 million won (about $1,310) available for customized improvements including signage, awnings and interior renovations.
Gangjin-gun is accepting applications for the third round of its 2026 Small Business Operating Environment Improvement Support Project, aimed at helping local small business owners upgrade their facilities and sharpen their competitiveness. The program targets small businesses registered and operating in Gangjin-gun for at least six months as of the announcement date. Now in its fourth year, the initiative supported 111 businesses in 2023, 61 in 2024 and 61 in 2025. This year, two earlier rounds have already closed, with 41 businesses receiving support.
The third round will select up to 14 businesses within the available budget. If applications exceed that number, recipients will be chosen based on evaluation scores reflecting annual sales and length of operation. Bonus points go to businesses enrolled in the Gangjin Love Gift Certificate (Chak) program or the Meokkkabbi merchant network, businesses designated as "good price" establishments, applicants who submit a small business certification, and those who completed the 2025 small business capacity-building education program. When scores are tied, priority goes to businesses with lower sales figures and longer operating histories.
Facility improvement costs are subsidized at up to 70 percent of the supply price, capped at 2 million won, with value-added tax and any amount above the supply price covered by the applicant. Four categories of improvement are eligible: outdoor signage, interior renovation, display fixtures, and safety and systems upgrades. Outdoor signage support covers the replacement or installation of channel signs, LED signs and metal signs. Interior renovation includes wallpapering, flooring, lighting, partition walls and awning installation. Display fixture improvements cover product shelves and sales counters, while the safety and systems category includes fire suppression and security equipment, CCTV and flood barriers.
Certain items are excluded, and applicants must review the restrictions carefully. Routine cleaning, consumables, used equipment and rental costs — as well as items unrelated to the primary business — are ineligible. General appliances such as PCs, televisions, vacuum cleaners, boilers, air purifiers, air conditioners and washing machines are also excluded. Businesses that received support under the same or a similar program within the past two years may not apply for those same items, and businesses with no reported sales in the previous year are ineligible.
Applications are accepted from the announcement date through June 25 and can be submitted in person at the eup or myeon office where the business is located, by registered mail, or online through the Gangjin-gun Small Business Support Center. After a document review and on-site evaluation, selected recipients will proceed through subsidy application and contracting before carrying out the improvements. Subsidies are disbursed following a final on-site inspection after project completion.
Im Seong-su, director of the tourism and sports bureau, said the program offers practical support to ease the financial burden on small business owners and strengthen their competitiveness. "We encourage small business owners planning facility upgrades to carefully review the eligibility conditions and excluded items and to apply actively," he said.
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