MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon has announced that two major divestment initiatives in the Catherine Hall area here are expected to drive economic growth and expand sports development in western Jamaica.

Speaking during a press conference following the monthly council meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation last Thursday, Vernon explained that the entity has partnered with Tailwind Jamaica Limited for the development of a special economic zone (SEZ) in the area. He also provided an update on the lease arrangement of the Catherine Hall Sports Complex.

The mayor explained that the corporation has seen the potential benefits of the SEZ.

“They [Tailwind Jamaica Limited] needed us to partner with them so that they can realise the development. So, the council has made a strategic decision to divest that piece of property to support the build-out of the special economic zone,” Vernon disclosed.

Tailwind is set to invest $3 billion to develop a complex on land — just adjacent to the Catherine Hall Sports Complex — repurposing it to offer 110,000 square feet of warehousing, office and retail space.

“It will create over 750 jobs,” the mayor declared.

Construction of the development is expected to start this year, with a completion date set for next year.

Vernon added that the move is in line with the corporation’s plans to utilise it’s assets in ways that boost the economy of the city and the parish.

“The council is not just looking at how to operate the usual municipal commercial services that we offer, but to also look strategically at lands that we can divest to build up more commercial space within the city of Montego Bay,” he told reporters.

He added that strategic partnerships like the one with Tailwind Jamaica Limited are crucial for the future of Montego Bay and St James.

“This is a big move for Montego Bay, and we continue to look strategically at our properties and see how we can divest to enable how we can cut our cost…so that we can do more for our communities through these strategic decisions,” he said.

Meanwhile, the mayor said ongoing challenges had driven the move to lease the Catherine Hall sporting facility.

“For several years, while we managed to host football and several other events there, we have not managed to sustain the track and field aspect of things due to deterioration of the track.

“And, of course, the full meaning of it being a multi-purpose sports complex was not realised because there is still available space there for other disciplines, and we did not capitalise on that,” the mayor said.

The stadium, which was a gift to the city, has fallen into disrepair over time, which was further exacerbated by the impact of Hurricane Melissa. However, prior to the passage of the Category 5 storm the corporation had invited bids for the management of the facility

“At our recent finance meeting we came to a conclusion on the position; we have agreed to the terms and conditions of a contract that we have negotiated with the lessee, and this is following the approval of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development for us to go ahead with a lease of the Catherine Hall stadium,” he explained.

A signing ceremony is set for Tuesday to officially ink the agreement for the lessee to take charge of the facility.

Both developments are expected to further enhance the Catherine Hall area, which is already being transformed with the development of the National Bakery plant that is now ongoing.

VERNON…it will create over 750 jobs