Wednesday, April 30 is the deadline for members of the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) to apply to lease one of the dozens of commercial units that are being made available in the Morant Bay Urban Development Centre in St Thomas.
The SBAJ has informed its membership via email that the “incredible opportunity” was made available through its “ongoing partnership with the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ),” the developers of the multi-billion dollar project.
According to the email, which was seen by Observer Online, “Phase 2 of the Urban Development Centre in Morant Bay, St Thomas, is currently underway, and SBAJ members have been given exclusive access to apply for lease-to-own commercial units within this modern development”.
“This initiative presents a powerful opportunity for small business owners like you to secure a permanent space to operate and expand your enterprise,” it added.
Having distributed application forms a little over a month ago, the SBAJ is reminding interested members of the fast -approaching deadline.
“We are encouraging those who have not yet submitted their forms to do so as soon as possible. We also welcome new members who are now learning about this opportunity to apply,” the email said.
The SBAJ has listed the benefits of applying including: securing a physical location to grow your business; positioning your enterprise within a growing commercial hub; and accessing long-term business stability through lease-to-own arrangements.
The SBAJ noted that securing a shop in the urban centre gives small operators an opportunity to “invest in the future of your business”. The association notes that the centre’s “strategic location and a space of your own can make all the difference in scaling up and accessing new markets”.
The Morant Bay Urban Centre is being constructed at a cost of $6 billion by contractors China Harbour Engineering Company.
The 28-acre development comprises more than 400,000 square feet and will feature more than 50 public- and private-sector entities in one space.
It will have special areas to accommodate children and the elderly.
It has missed several opening deadlines and the phased handover of offices was slated for February this year.