Scores of MSME Operators Turn Out for Restoration Grant Application Drive in St. Elizabeth

Scores of operators of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) turned out for the MSME Restoration Grant Programme Application Drive on October 14, to get a share of the $500 million set aside by the Government to help them rebuild after Hurricane Melissa.

The event, held at the Black River Independent Baptist Church and the Junction Guest House in St. Elizabeth, saw a steady stream of self-employed men and women, including carpenters, mechanics, masons, hairdressers and food shop operators seeking information and guidance on the application process.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill, said the Government had established the programme to assist small business operators who had not received other assistance and were struggling to secure the working capital needed to restart their livelihoods.

“Well, we’re giving $500 million in grants. These are not loans; they don’t have to be repaid,” Senator Hill stated.

“It’s a gift from the taxpayers. From one set of taxpayers to another set of taxpayers and workers in Jamaica through the Government of Jamaica,” he added.

He emphasised that because it is public money, safeguards are in place, registration is done and applicants must be vouched for by a Member of Parliament, a Justice of the Peace or a minister of religion to create a full audit trail.

Moreover, businesses that are registered must provide their Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN). Representatives of Tax Administration Jamaica were on site to help people without a TRN to get one.

“The $500 million, it’s really primarily the five parishes that were badly affected. We know them as St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny, and St. James. There is addition of parts of St. Ann and Manchester,” Senator Hill outlined.

The Minister said the team will tour the affected parishes with the aim of getting money into people’s hands before Christmas. Online registration opened on October 6 and will close on November 16.

In the meantime, Senator Hill addressed the delay in rolling out the grant. He indicated that the Government first had to spend billions on road cleanup, restoring electricity through JPS, and repairing roofs, schools and health centres before focusing on businesses.

For recipients like Anika Brown of Newtown in Black River, the grant is a lifeline. She runs a printing business and also does buying and selling but the storm destroyed her equipment and left her marooned by floodwater.

She said her application went through smoothly and she is waiting on a confirmation email, noting that the grant is “worth the wait”.
Tailor, Daniel Brodie, also completed the process.

His shop in the town was damaged and he lost most of his materials, saving only his sewing machines.

He said he is hoping for a new machine if his application succeeds, and that he is grateful for the help.

“I hope that it will come true for all of us who did this process today,” he added.