ST JAMES, Jamaica— The St James Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with the Social Development Commission (SDC), is taking steps to promote economic growth among small businesses across the parish.

Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the Corporation, Councillor Richard Vernon, explained that the focus of this initiative lies in the Local Economic Development (LED) Programme, which the Corporation has aligned with the SDC’s Local Economic Initiatives (LEIs).

“So far, we have allocated approximately $3 million to the programme (LED), and we expect to allocate $17 million by the end of the fiscal year,” Vernon stated.

He was addressing the St James Bee Farmers Association’s Healthy Lifestyle Day, held at the St James RADA Office in Catherine Hall, on Thursday, October 3.

Vernon pointed out that a key element of the initiative is its focus on agriculture, with a growing interest in the beekeeping and honey industry. He said there are plans to help build out honey production in St James and create important linkages between beekeepers and larger business entities.

“Productivity is important when we have persons producing honey that has many components in terms of treating different sicknesses and conditions,” Vernon said.

“So today, we are happy to be here to see how best we can reinforce this industry, so that we can have a better outcome for the farmers here in St James,” he added.

The second annual event was organised in collaboration with RADA and the St James Health Department. It featured bee farmers from across the parish, who displayed an array of honey products and by-products.

“I’m happy that the bee farmers decided to come together and to do this expo and to promote healthy lifestyles and healthy living,” Vernon said.

-JIS