When the output of the refinery began declining, it naturally came as a blow to local residents. Talk in recent years about a large new housing development in Chiaotou is getting local intellectuals especially worried, for the community being envisioned would encompass the sugar refinery.
而橋頭糖廠規模日減，自然給予當地社區居民不小衝擊，尤其是近年以糖廠土地為基地所開發的新市鎮計畫，更讓許多在地知識份子憂心忡忡。