Election Promise Kept! Ground Breaks For D5's Economic Zone

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(PLTM) - Residents desirous of becoming entrepreneurs in the fifth electoral district will soon have an affordable storefront in their backyard.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Economic Zone facility in Huntums Ghut on Monday October 19, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities and Fifth District Representative, Hon. Kye Rymer said he was pleased that this election promise is coming to fruition.

He said, “Today we are here to bring one of our shared promises, one of our shared dreams into reality. We are breaking the Ground for the facility that will house the first step programme for entrepreneurs right here in Huntums Ghut.”

He continued, “What we are doing is with the available lands here we are continuing on a vision from the past representatives. In acquiring these lands a community centre was envisioned, but based on the available funds at the time, a basketball court was built, and later the bathroom was built. Today, this government we are now putting this vision into reality with the fifth district economic zone.”

While no projected timeline nor the cost of the undertaking was revealed, Rymer said, the facility will be in the form of commercial warehouses.

“Each of the three (commercial warehouses) will hold up to six businesses. Applicants will have to develop a business plan, which will be used for the selection process. Successful applicants will be required to pay a small user fee that will go towards the upkeep of this facility,” he pointed out.

The District Representative added, “The dream is that businesses will blossom and they will outgrow these places. As they spread their wings, and once your business becomes successful, we expect the entrepreneurs to move forward, and move to a bigger accommodation, thus creating room for new entrepreneurs to move in and also birth their small business idea. Your government is providing a stepping stone for you to make your entrepreneur dream a reality.”

Hon. Rymer informed that this idea was birthed from the concept of the Palm Grove Shopping Centre in Road Town.

One of the spaces will be dedicated to a small library and food pantry for persons in need. He further said it is his hope that other districts will follow his lead in that regard.

Speakers including Premier Hon. Andrew Fahie, Junior Ministers Hon. Sharie de Castro and Hon. Shereen Flax-Charles; Deputy Speaker, Hon. Neville Smith and Health Minister Hon. Carvin Malone also delivered congratulatory remarks.

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