The Social Development Commission (SDC) has awarded grants totalling $1.1 million to support the economic stability of several small entrepreneurs and micro-businesses in St. James. The grants were presented recently to 22 small enterprises or Local Economic Initiatives (LEIs), during a handover ceremony and workshop, held in the SDC St. James Office in Albion. The LEIs are from various communities...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) is partnering with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development to refurbish infirmaries across the island at a cost of $135 million. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who has portfolio responsibility for the NHT, said the allocation will go towards improving conditions for less-fortunate persons, who utilise these facilities. “We cannot overemphasise...

The Government has allocated $795 million in the 2019/20 fiscal year to provide water in more rural communities. In his 2019/20 Budget Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on March 19, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, indicated that the figure “is seven times higher than the previous allocation”. “Depending on how our revenue targets look, we could...

Details of the master plan for the Greater Bernard Lodge Development in St. Catherine are being finalised. Urban Planner, Martin Addington, said establishment of the water and sewerage infrastructure and the allocation of remaining blocks of land to interested private developers, are among the areas being firmed up. “A competitive tendering process will begin for the land development in short...

Implementation of the Government’s development strategy will be further boosted in the new fiscal year with an additional $13.7 million. The sum is set aside in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The six-year Technical Cooperation Facility V, which commenced in November 2014, is designed to identify, formulate and implement activities financed under the European...

Work is expected to begin in April on the development of a state-of-the-art Closed Harbour Beach Park in Montego Bay, St. James. This follows the allocation of $550 million in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure to undertake the renovation project in the upcoming fiscal year. Over a two-year period, the 16-acre property, also known as ‘Dump-up Beach’, is to be...

The Government will commence the Montego Bay Waterfront Protection Project in the upcoming fiscal year with an allocation of $400 million. Details are given in the 2019/20 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Activities under the project, which are expected to begin in April 2019, involve the rehabilitation of the Montego Bay Groynes. This is to reduce...