BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — Business leaders here, while optimistic about a rebuild of the historic town announced by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness during his contribution to the 2026/27 Budget Debate last Thursday, say they want short term solutions regarding the challenges they still face almost five months after Hurricane Melissa.

The business leaders have welcomed the plan by Holness to not “rebuild Black River as it was” but to “rebuild it as it should be — and in doing so, create something this town has never possessed in its 300-year history: A real, planned, consolidated urban core” but they want immediate action to resolve issues facing businesses and residents.

“While we welcome this modern, climate–resilient development for Black River, we want short-term solutions that will continue to facilitate livelihood and business to prosper until these plans are put in place,” said president of the Black River chapter of the St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce Kadian Myers-Brown, in a statement on Saturday.

“[We] welcome the contribution made by the honourable prime minister in the recent budget debate. Out of unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances Black River it seems will now be getting long deserved recognition as it relates to its landscape. We welcome the ideas of a more resilient town that will be less susceptible to the rapid changes in climate that we have been experiencing in recent times,” added Myers-Brown.

But she pointed to the challenges faced by business interests and operators due to uncertainty pertaining to the development plan for Black River.

“While we await these developments, however, the economic landscape of Black River was dealt a significant blow, and there is an immediate need among the business community for assistance to re-energise the business sector. Less than 20 per cent of the business community has been able to have some kind of restoration.

“This is largely owing to the uncertainties as it relates to the plans for the town. Our hope is that these developments take into consideration our local professionals, and stakeholders who live in the parish, who can impact these ideas as well,” said Myers-Brown as she called for short-term solutions to ease the inconvenience faced by residents of Black River and adjoining areas who now rely heavily on Santa Cruz and other points east to do business.

“There is also the need for a short-term plan to restore public buildings that bring much needed service to many residents of Black River and its environs. The tax collectorate, and the Island Traffic Depot are two such examples. Travelling to Santa Cruz and Mandeville has become a serious strain on many business proprietors. The Bank of Nova Scotia has shown scant regard to the restoration of its Smart ABMS that facilitated banking for those business customers who use their services. The closest branch in Santa Cruz is overwhelmed with long lines and wait times to use either the bank or its ABM,” she said.

In the meantime safari tour operator Dr Donovan Bennett said he wants to see the specific plan for Black River.

“It is not just the timeline. I need specifics. I know plans are being drawn now, or plans have been drawn and I don’t think that the authorities have come down on any specifics as to where, how and what is going to be done. I am still waiting to hear some specifics,” Bennett said on Monday.

However Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western Floyd Green explained that the development of the heritage-rich town is really a widening of its zone.

“What you are going to see now is an expansion of the boundaries of Black River. Remember now that this urban core will become a part and parcel of Black River, so what you are going to see is an expansion of the capital and clearly, like all other major towns, as soon as the Government does this urban core and starts doing the redevelopment of Black River [including] the waterfront you are going to see the other spaces being filled out as well,” Green explained on Friday.

“What you are going to see emerge is a brand new expanded Black River with identifiable areas that have different sources of income and drive different economies… This is where you will see a lot of commerce around tourism and cultural heritage. This is where you will have the main Government centre, a sort of business district,” added Green.

In his budget presentation Holness indicated that discussions will extend to commercial stakeholders within the town, with the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) expected to engage property owners on acquisition and relocation, where necessary, to facilitate the redevelopment plan of Black River.

“Early next month various agencies from the Government will begin the consultations and sensitisation with specific communities in Black River and along that corridor regarding relocation of their communities. The truth is that there are some communities that are in proximity to the swamp and the threat from the sea, and when you look at all of the risk maps, the best option is to relocate. We know what this is, and so we will handle this in a very sensitive way. We will ensure it is done in a very transparent way, [and] we will ensure that nobody is at a loss and that livelihoods are enhanced,” Holness said.

Green, in endorsing the consultation phase, said relocation where necessary will remove or minimise risks in the face of future natural disasters.

“All of us feel that St Elizabeth is being given a new lease on life and to be that home of significant investments. It was made clear in terms of the things that will move to the civic centre which means that there are things that are staying in Black River like the police station, fire station and those have already gone through Hurricane Melissa,” said Green.

“We will be seeing what needs to be done especially to ensure that those buildings that withstood, for the most part the hurricane, despite suffering some damage, what else can be done to lessen their risk level,” Green added.

He pointed to small boutique hotels, excursions including the safari tours, Pelican Bar, YS Falls in St Elizabeth as attractions in, and on the outskirts of Black River, making it a vital tourism destination.

“Black River can be that hub where people will come and stay and do these heritage cultural eco tours, so that will be good. I was very happy not only to hear, but see the prime minister show what the vision for Black River is,” said Green.

“He [Holness] spent time talking about the history of Black River to highlight that the town itself, and its story, will not be left out in the redevelopment,” added Green.

He also reiterated the Government plan for the Font Hill development near Black River and the Williamsfield to Hodges leg of Highway 2000.

“There are additional things to come in Font Hill-the prime minister signalled that. There is additional housing to come in places like Luana, and then when you add that to an improved road network which includes a highway coming into St Elizabeth I think the parish is going to boom over the next five, 10, 15 years,” said Green.

BENNETT… I am still waiting to hear some specifics (Photo: Observer file)

GREEN… all of us feel that St Elizabeth is being given a new lease on life and to be that home of significant investments (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

HOLNESS… early next month various agencies from the Government will begin the consultations and sensitisation with specific communities in Black River and along that corridor regarding relocation of their communities (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

An aerial view of the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa in Black River, St Elizabeth. (Photo: WFP/Arete/Sanjaek Hudson)

File photo of a section of Black River on December 11, 2025 (Photo: Karl Mclarty)