Free Transportation Being Provided for PIOJ Best Practice Symposium

Transportation will be provided free of cost for persons wishing to attend this year’s staging of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) Best Practice Symposium on Social and Community Renewal.

The event is scheduled for January 27 and 28 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, Technical Specialist for Socio-Economic Development in the Community Renewal Programme at the PIOJ, Charmaine Brimm, said special arrangements have been made to ensure easy access for members of the public.

A major feature of the symposium will be the Local Economic Initiative (LEI) Expo, themed ‘Elevating Businesses and Growing Communities’.

The expo, which will be open to the public, will showcase a wide range of small businesses, including enterprises operated by persons successfully reintegrating into society.

It will run on Tuesday, January 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, January 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Brimm explained that transportation will be provided from a central location in Half-Way Tree.

“We have made arrangements with Total Energies [beside the post office] in Half-Way Tree, and we will have buses on hand to pick up persons there. Pickups will be between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27, and 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on January 28.

“We want persons to be mindful that the last pickup at Half-Way Tree on both days will be 2:00 p.m., and the last departure from The Pegasus back to Half-Way Tree will be 3:00 p.m.,” she informed.

Ms. Brimm noted that the expo will feature an exciting array of products and services spanning several sectors, including agro‑processing, arts and craft, and health and wellness.

These include enterprises operated by successful returning migrants and individuals who were once in conflict with the law but have since reintegrated into society.

Ms. Brimm added that one area in which these persons have made notable progress is the establishment of strong and sustainable businesses.

Members of the public are strongly encouraged to attend, make use of the free transportation, and support the entrepreneurs showcasing their work through the Local Economic Initiative at the Best Practice Symposium on Social and Community Renewal.