Growth & Jobs | Additional Land to be Acquired to Build Micro Business Park at Morant Bay Urban Centre
On a recent tour of the Morant Bay Urban Centre in St Thomas, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced plans for an exciting new development. Instructed by the Prime Minister, the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) is set to acquire an additional 10 acres of land to construct a pioneering micro business park within the urban centre. This initiative promises to revolutionize the business landscape in Jamaica.
During a stakeholder engagement session, FCJ Chairman Lyttleton Shirley shared plans for the micro business park, which is expected to serve as a cornerstone for small businesses. He explained that the park will feature a farmers’ market, farm supply and equipment store, sports bar, grill pavilion, 12 mini warehouses, and 30 micro business facilities catering to various small enterprises including shoemakers, locksmiths, and hairdressers. The Prime Minister’s directive also includes helping these small businesses acquire necessary equipment, integrating the costs into an extended rental agreement to alleviate the initial startup challenges.
In addition to the micro business park, Shirley provided updates on the broader urban centre project. A key aspect of this development is the construction of what is anticipated to be “the most modern courthouse in the Caribbean,” equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to protect citizens’ rights. This will be complemented by two large greenhouses and four cold storage facilities for farmers, ensuring that unsold produce remains fresh and reducing spoilage.
The Morant Bay Urban Centre will also serve as the new base for travel service providers Knutsford Express, marking a significant first for the eastern parish. Furthermore, a significant business process outsourcing (BPO) entity is slated to open within the centre, potentially employing 2,000 to 3,000 individuals.
As part of the urban centre’s array of facilities, upgrades are in store for the new Women’s Centre in St Thomas. This facility will include, for the first time, a five-bedroom dormitory. It is designed to support young students who may have faced setbacks, such as pregnancy, by providing a conducive environment for them to have their children, remain in an educational program, and ultimately transition back into mainstream education under the guidance of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the Morant Bay Urban Centre aims to stimulate “the new economy of St Thomas.” He assured that this development will be inclusive, allowing every Jamaican and resident of St Thomas to engage in business, live comfortably, support their families, and earn an income. The project aims to resolve the current challenges of overcrowded streets and congestion within the town.
The Prime Minister’s remarks highlighted a larger vision: projecting a robust message globally that through Jamaican innovation and resources, there is a capability to build not only a parish but a nation, fostering economic independence.
The completion of the Morant Bay Urban Centre is projected for December or January, heralding a new era of economic possibilities for the region and the country at large.
