The Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs dispensed $250,000 worth of grants to more than 140 businesses in the territory, according to Karia Christopher, the director of trade.
The money represents the first part of a $1.5 million programme of grants, loan guarantees and “other investments” designed to kickstart local businesses in the post-Hurricane Irma landscape, Ms. Christopher explained.
“The general purpose of this financial assistance recovery is because we all know — I’ve been saying this for as long as I have been in this job — small businesses are the heartbeat of the economy,” she said. “And we know that many of our small businesses had a hard hit, and the premier, as well as the Honourable Marlon Penn, endorsed this grant programme.”
Grants were disbursed for no more than $10,000 to 141 businesses without commercial infractions, according to Ms. Christopher.
The list of recipients has not been made public, though officials promised the information will be released.
“We’re not averse to publishing the list once we’re finalised with the process,” said Mr. Penn (R-D8), the junior minister for trade and investment promotion. “For transparency, of course, we’ll release all that information.”
The lawmaker declined to comment on when the process would be “finalised,” however.
“I don’t want to be held to a timeline when I’m not sure,” Mr. Penn said.
In order to receive the grant, businesses had to verify they suffered damages, Ms. Christopher explained. After receiving a cheque, business owners are expected to come to the department for “one-on-one counseling sessions,” she added.
“I think for the level of resources we have and the part we’ve used so far, there’s been a really good impact on the community,” she said.
Ceremony
At a short ceremony last Thursday, Ms. Christopher, Mr. Penn and Premier Dr. Orlando Smith presented grant cheques to a handful of individuals representing three small businesses across the territory.
Among them was farmer Moviene Fahie, whose business was slammed by the flooding in August and the hurricanes in September.
“I was wiped out from the flood,” Ms. Fahie said. “I try to help myself on my own and after two weeks Irma come in and give me some ripping. … I lose all of my stuff, all of my family’s stuff, but I’m getting back. I’m a fighter.”
The farmer expressed gratitude for government’s assistance and said she plans to use the money to help rebuild the fencing around her land.
In spite of the grant, however, she plans to recover mostly on her own.
“I try to help myself,” she said.
VI Airlink and Hodge’s Butchery also received grants at the press conference. The amount of each grant was not disclosed.