Chairman of the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ), Lyttleton Shirley, has hailed the opening of the first business at the Morant Bay Urban Centre as a significant milestone in the Government’s thrust to stimulate economic growth and improve infrastructure in St Thomas.

Speaking at the soft opening of the parish’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet on December 2, Shirley described the event as a demonstration of the Government’s vision for the $6-billion Urban Centre—the first of its kind in the country and a catalyst for future developments.

“Today is a special day for me. I’m feeling proud that our vision has been accomplished. I feel excited… for our people of St Thomas,” he told JIS News.

He noted that 55 new employees—all from St Thomas—have been hired at the new restaurant, illustrating the job-creation function which was intended of the Centre.

Shirley further highlighted the quality of the project’s design and facilities as an example of the Government’s development priorities.

“When you look at the environment that has been created for the people of St. Thomas, I don’t think you can compare this with anywhere else in the Caribbean. This is futuristic thinking. This is confidence about a country and our people,” he said.

“I want to congratulate the Government for their vision. I want to congratulate my Board members [and] the Prime Minister who worked with us, who gave us a vision and the guidance. I want to congratulate the construction team. and today, I’m a proud Jamaican, knowing that we have done something for our people,” Shirley added.

KFC, which is operated by Restaurants of Jamaica (ROJ), marks its 45th restaurant in Jamaica with the opening of the Morant Bay branch.

Chairman Shirley congratulated the popular brand for the accomplishment. “I want to compliment the management of KFC. They did an awesome job,” he shared.

With long lines all day and well into the night as word spread of the restaurant’s opening, Shirley, who also spent the day at the location, commended the orderly conduct of users of the facility.

“I’ve not seen one incident here from morning. Everybody seems to be so bonded and so respectful of each other,” he said, while urging the residents to take great care of the property. “I say to my fellow Jamaicans, take care of the property. Be positive about your environment.”

The Morant Bay Urban Centre project is a joint-venture agreement between the FCJ and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC). It provides 365,000 square feet of space for the amalgamation of Government and private-sector services in a one-stop-shop setting.