SDC HOSTS ST THOMAS’ FIRST ECONOMIC VILLAGE
On Friday September 26, Small and micro entrepreneurs convened in front of the St Thomas Social Development Commission’s office to market their Goods and Services at the SDC’s Economic Village, which is geared towards promoting local businesses by providing a space for them to earn and grow. The event, which is the first of its kind to be held in the parish of St Thomas gave entrepreneurs and artisans the opportunity to showcase their products — from hand crafted jewelry, natural juices and infused oils to dried herbs and many more.
Mrs. Lorian Peart-Roberts, Parish Manager of the Social Development Commission in St Thomas said, “Many [of the businesses] don’t have a shop front and so this is our avenue to have them come out and showcase what they have”
“We are hoping that once the Urban Center gets going, we can host this every quarter, the last Friday, right after pay day”, she continued.
She also used the opportunity to invite other local entrepreneurs to go to the Social Development Commission’s website and sign up to participate in the Economic Village. Peart-Roberts said that the SDC provides workshops for entrepreneurs to help them to position themselves in the economic market better by providing training in different industry areas.
The Economic Village, which falls under the Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), provides a space for local micro and small businesses to sell products, network, and build their capacities. While this showing was the first for the parish of St Thomas, the Economic Village has been active in other parishes across Jamaica giving newcomers and growing businesses a well needed boost for their businesses.
