Chiayi City GovernmentChiayi City Government

Mayor Huang Launches 2025 SBIR Program to Bolster Local Industry Innovation and Transformation   Post Date: April 25, 2025 Economic Affairs Department / Tourism and Information Department To promote industrial upgrading and innovation, the Chiayi City Government launched the 2025 SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) program today (April 25) at the Chiayi Industrial Innovation and Research Center. The event also featured highlights from the 2024 program, showcasing successful projects funded by the city. Mayor Huang announced that this year’s SBIR program will accept applications from May 1 to May 31 across four categories—food biotechnology, cultural creativity, health and sustainability, and precision machinery. Each project may receive up to NT$1 million, with total funding exceeding NT$10 million. The city aims to encourage innovation and enhance local industry competitiveness through targeted financial support. Mayor Huang emphasized Chiayi’s unique advantages as a compact yet resource-rich city with strong innovation potential. By deepening cooperation with the Chiayi Industrial Innovation and Research Center and engaging expert evaluators, the city continues to strengthen technical support for applicants and improve program outcomes. Director Tian Chang-pei of the Economic Affairs Department added that two program briefings will be held on April 25 and May 2, featuring insights on capital markets from the Taipei Exchange. A hands-on proposal writing workshop will also be held on April 30 to help applicants develop high-quality submissions. During the event, four SBIR-funded companies from 2024 shared their R&D journeys and outcomes, inspiring future applicants. Consultation booths were also set up to provide real-time technical advice and connect businesses with potential innovation partners. For application details, visit the Economic Affairs Department’s website. Register for the April 30 workshop here: https://forms.gle/iKxWz9GvwpFd2n2j6. For more information, please contact the project office at (05) 277-1796, Ms. Wu.

Mayor Huang Conducts Site Visit to Former Xingzhong Police Station, Advancing Plans for Youth Innovation Base Under Old Town Renaissance Initiative   Post Date: April 20, 2025 Economic Affairs Department / Tourism and Information Department   As part of Chiayi City’s ongoing efforts in regional revitalization, the city government has actively repurposed idle spaces in the old town since 2020, designated as the inaugural year of local revitalization. In 2023, Mayor Huang Min-Hui directed the transformation of the former Xingzhong Police Station into a base for youth entrepreneurship, providing support to emerging Chiayi brands and enhancing mentorship in design and digital transformation. On April 18, Mayor Huang, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Lin Ruei-Yen and Secretary-General Chen Yung-Feng, led a site visit to inspect progress on the station’s renovation. Scheduled for launch in the second half of 2025, the future “Ximen Innovation Hub” is expected to add a fresh spark to the city's startup ecosystem. Mayor Huang emphasized that Chiayi is a city rich in cultural heritage, evolving from a timber industry stronghold into a vibrant hub for tourism and leisure in the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan region. Since 2013, the city has advanced urban renewal through design-centric governance. In 2020, it officially launched its regional revitalization campaign by integrating cross-departmental and public-private collaboration, revitalizing old buildings, linking neighborhoods, nurturing youth, and reactivating underused urban space. The former Xingzhong Police Station sits at a strategic intersection of Zhongzheng Road, Xingzhong Street, and Guanghua Road—once the West Gate of the historical Zhu Luo City. Although later used as a police archive and dormitory, the site had remained underutilized. Its redevelopment is a key component of the city’s flagship "Old Town Renaissance" program under the “Revitalization of Key Sites” initiative. The city has invested NT$18.31 million in the project, which includes structural reinforcements and interior renovations. While preserving the building’s original facade, modern design elements have been incorporated to create a bright and versatile space, including co-working offices, meeting rooms, exhibition areas, and event venues. The city envisions the "Ximen Innovation Hub" as a dynamic and functional base for young entrepreneurs to launch and grow their ventures. Mayor Huang noted that once operational, the hub will join the Vision Hall, Digital West Market, and East Gate Police Station to form a connected network of “Four Revitalization Hubs.” These sites will serve as a foundation for youth entrepreneurship and regional revitalization, offering startup training, expert mentoring, and funding resources. In closing, Mayor Huang sincerely thanked the design team, construction crew, and colleagues from the Economic Affairs Department for their dedicated work. She also called on the public to support pedestrian-friendly spaces once the hub opens, encouraging businesses and citizens to preserve sidewalk access and foster a safe, welcoming public environment. She emphasized that “foot traffic can become economic flow,” helping stimulate local commerce and regional development.    

Mayor Huang to Represent Chiayi City in Taipei with Broad Political Support, Urging Acceleration of Light Rail Development   Post Date: April 14, 2025 Department of Transportation  / Tourism and Information Department   In response to the Executive Yuan’s “Greater Southern Silicon Valley Development Plan” approved earlier this year, Chiayi City Mayor Huang Min-hui emphasized during today’s municipal meeting (April 14) that Chiayi must not be marginalized in national development efforts. Although the plan nominally includes the city, no transportation infrastructure projects have been designated, rendering its inclusion largely symbolic. To ensure Chiayi City’s voice is heard, Mayor Huang will travel to Taipei on April 17 to participate in a central-local coordination meeting regarding the plan. She will bring a petition jointly signed by 84 borough chiefs and 21 city councilors—collected in just two days—demonstrating broad-based political consensus in support of the Chiayi Light Rail Blue Line. Mayor Huang urged the central government to fulfill its commitment to residents and expedite the development of the light rail system, which is essential for linking the city’s high-speed rail station with the broader regional transit network. Mayor Huang noted that the connection between the Taiwan High Speed Rail and Taiwan Railways in Chiayi is not only a matter of public convenience but also a key national policy. She recalled that as early as 1999, the then-director of the High Speed Rail Bureau had stated that a light rail system would be developed once ridership volumes justified it. In 2005, the Executive Yuan formally approved the Chiayi BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) plan, instructing the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to initiate a light rail project when conditions permitted. Mayor Huang also highlighted her long-standing advocacy for this project. As a legislator more than 20 years ago, she actively promoted the light rail initiative, organized a joint petition campaign, and led a delegation to meet with officials from the Council for Economic Planning and Development. Despite these efforts and central government support at the time, the project has yet to materialize, leaving public expectations unmet. She further pointed out that the recently announced “Greater Southern Silicon Valley” initiative includes 22 transportation projects, yet none of them are located in Chiayi City. Mayor Huang emphasized that public transportation is critical to sustainable development and regional connectivity. The proposed Blue Line would link key technology parks in and around Chiayi City and County, fostering growth in surrounding industrial zones and enhancing daily life for residents. In this context, light rail construction is not merely a matter of infrastructure—it is a matter of fairness, justice, and regional balance. Mayor Huang also noted the strong public response to the petition. The news of political leaders uniting in support of the project sparked widespread backing from residents, academic experts, and civic groups. Some scholars have emphasized that the light rail would improve school commutes and overall quality of life. While the current petition was initiated by elected officials, it reflects a broader and urgent public consensus. In closing, Mayor Huang reiterated her call for the central government to immediately advance the Blue Line project. She stressed the importance of forming a unified “Five-Rail Transit Network” that connects high-speed rail, conventional rail, forest railway, and sugar railway systems. Such a network would complete the city’s transportation grid, enhance regional integration, and drive long-term economic and social development.