ST JAMES, Jamaica — Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon has highlighted that ongoing public and private sector developments in St James have brought investment in the parish to nearly half a trillion dollars.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Richmond Hill Club, a new residential and hospitality development overlooking the western city, Vernon said the project forms part of a wider pattern of investment across the parish.

“Richmond Hill takes its place within one of the most dynamic periods of growth in Montego Bay’s modern history,” he remarked.

“Across St James, roughly $158 billion in private sector investments are underway, spanning Pinnacle, Unico, One Reading, PriceSmart, AC Marriott, Racquet Club and other major projects,” he stated.

He noted that these investments are being complemented by significant government spending in the parish, including the Sangster International Airport expansion, the Western Water Resilience programme, the perimeter road and Cornwall Regional Hospital, among other projects.

“This is approximately $293 billion in public capital investments,” he said, adding that, “Together these public and private initiatives represent approximately $451 billion in active investment across St James and one of the most significant periods of development in our region’s history”.

The mayor explained that the scale of investment was transformative for the parish, particularly as the various projects complement and reinforce one another.

“Modern infrastructure attracts businesses, new developments create jobs and a growing workforce deepens the market for housing, goods and services, fueling a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity,” he said.

He also commended the developers of Richmond Hill Club for contributing to this period of growth and development in Montego Bay and St James.

“This project expands our housing and tourism stock, strengthens local supply chains and creates vital employment and skills development,” he said.

“Just as importantly, it generates sustained demand for the small and medium-sized enterprises, artisans, contractors and local suppliers that form the backbone of our local economy”.