▲ Rendering of the Pet One-Welfare Valley

Chungnam Province's efforts to secure the rapidly growing pet-related industry as a new growth driver have come to fruition.
 
The province announced on the 25th that it has been finally selected for the 'Pet One-Welfare Valley Development Project' organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
 
As part of the 'Pet-Related Industry Promotion Measures' announced at the Emergency Economic Ministers' Meeting on August 9 last year, this project will establish the nation's first comprehensive facility for testing and demonstrating pet-related industries in Naepo New City.
 
As the inaugural project linked to the establishment of the Naepo Campus at Chungnam National University, the Province and Chungnam National University signed a Memorandum of Understanding on February 19th to establish a One-Welfare Valley Research Center.
 
The Province plans to invest a total of 40 billion KRW, including 20 billion KRW from national funds, over the next four years until the Naepo Campus opens in 2027. This investment will be used to develop the 28,950㎡ site within the campus into a One-Welfare Valley, focusing on △product validation for companion animals △research and development △nurturing and veterinary services △corporate support.
The validation sector will provide empirical services to assess preferences, nutritional value, and functionality of products and services developed by companies, ensuring the highest welfare environment for the health and safety of companion animals.
 
The research and development sector will support the commercialization of technology by facilitating the use of high-cost specialized equipment that is difficult to access, offering user education, and providing assistance in prototype production, technical support, and expert matching.
 
Corporate support will establish a comprehensive support system for companion animal-related companies, encompassing space, startup assistance, and export facilitation throughout the entire business cycle.
 
The Province and Chungnam National University anticipate that the Naepo Campus's Veterinary Green Convergence Department (including Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Animal Health Studies) and the One-Welfare Valley will significantly contribute to the systematic development of the companion animal industry and the completion of Naepo New City.
 
In the future, through the second phase of the second term of the Regional Balanced Development Project starting in 2026, the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR) will lead the establishment of a 'Pet Health Tech Testing and Certification Center.' This center will create a testing and certification system for pet health tech products.
 
Additionally, by connecting the Pet Culture Center, currently under development in Euna-myeon, Hongseong County, with other companion animal-related facilities and excellent industrial infrastructure, the plan is to develop Hongseong County into a bona fide mega-cluster for the companion animal industry.
 
Ahn Ho, Director of the Provincial Industrial Economy Office, stated, "The selection for this public project signifies a successful beginning for the establishment of Chungnam National University's Naepo Campus. We will strive to not only elevate it as a hub for the domestic companion animal industry but also to develop it into a mega-cluster with global competitiveness in the pet industry."
 
 
Department: Industrial Development and Bioindustry Team
Contact Number: 041-635-2252