Three Local Businesses Secure EC$210,000 in Expansion Loans

Three locally owned businesses have been approved for a combined EC$210,000 in Entrepreneurial Development Programme loans to expand their retail and visitor accommodation operations.

Riett Cole, who operates R. Cole’s Grocery Plus in All Saints Village, was approved for EC$50,000. The financing will help complete work on a new deli and purchase a generator and two commercial deep freezers. Cabinet said Cole has already invested more than EC$77,000 of her own money in the expansion.

Duberry Estates, operated by Catherine Williams-Joseph, was approved for EC$100,000 to help finish roofing work on a five-apartment short-term rental development near Jolly Harbour’s North Gate. Williams-Joseph also operates Mary’s Taxi Tours & Rentals and plans to combine accommodation with tourism services. Cabinet said the new enterprise is expected to employ four people initially.

KCH Properties, operated by Colin Harrigan and Karel Forde-Harrigan, was approved for EC$60,000 to purchase furniture for additional apartment units.

The proposals were considered by the programme’s Loan Review Committee before going to Cabinet. The government said access to affordable financing would help locally owned businesses expand and create economic activity.