The Government has presented a major development plan for the Bernard Lodge area of St. Catherine that will result in more affordable housing, expansion of jobs, sustainable agricultural production, upgrading of roads and informal communities, and improved water supply. Dubbed the Greater Bernard Lodge Development Master Plan, communities such as Clifton and Dunbeholden will also have infrastructure upgrades and community...

The Government will be tapping into the local pool of architectural talent to design the layout for the US$2.5-billion Vernamfield Development project. Dubbed ‘Aerotropolis Jamaica’, the project is intended to transform the Vernamfield property in Clarendon, which was previously an army base, into an aerodrome to provide international air cargo and logistics; aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services; and...

The continued development of the Caribbean’s number one attraction – Dunn’s River Falls – should enable the resort town of Ocho Rios to benefit more from the cruise and stopover arrival markets. Located in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Dunn’s River Falls is the most visited attraction in the country, and its nearly one million visitors annually contribute significantly to the...

The Morant Bay Town Centre development is generating excitement among investors and residents, based on the opportunity for business expansion, employment creation and economic transformation of the parish of St. Thomas. The $4 billion undertaking for which Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, broke ground on June 26, involves development of an integrated industrial and commercial complex encompassing 365,000...

The Government is working to achieve 100 per cent access to safe drinking water for all Jamaicans by 2030, while ensuring the sustainability of future supplies. The objective is in keeping with the National Development Plan, which aims to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business. Programme Director, Vision 2030 Jamaica Secretariat, Elizabeth...

The HEART Trust/NTA and the Essex Valley Community and Associates (EVC) have joined forces to launch the EVC’s Employment Certification Programme. The EVC is the business unit or income-generating arm of the Jiuquan Iron and Steel Company (JISCO)/Alpart bauxite company’s Community Council and is a registered charitable organization. It assists in providing labour to JISCO/Alpart by first offering employment opportunities...

Significant work was carried out by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development during 2018 to improve service delivery to Jamaicans. Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) • The JFB acquired six new emergency response vehicles valued at $385 million. The units included two firefighting boats, fire trucks, and two pumper tankers. A total of $189 million was allocated in the...

Persons with disabilities (PwDs) often have difficulty integrating into society to contribute to the economy, while providing for themselves. The Social Development Commission (SDC), through its Local Economic Development Support Programme, is helping to change that reality for PwDs in Linstead and surrounding communities in St. Catherine, through the Linstead Disabled Group Ltd. Rehabilitation Officer with Community-Based Rehabilitation Jamaica (CBRJ)...