St James Municipal Corporation waives 50 per cent of debt owned by craft vendors
Published:Monday | February 16, 2026 | 3:35 PM
The St James Municipal Corporation has committed to waiving 50 per cent of the $9.3 million in outstanding debt owed by craft vendors in Montego Bay, to help them recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
The waiver, covering rent arrears for October and November, amounts to approximately $4.5 million, benefiting 410 craft traders in Montego Bay.
The decision, which followed an appeal from craft vendors, was announced by Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, during the municipal corporation’s monthly meeting on February 12.
He informed that craft market traders recorded an approximate business write-off of $22 million in 2025, due to several challenges, including the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.
“They have had it tough since COVID-19. We have basically had to spoon-feed the craft industry here in Montego Bay in terms of the markets that they operate within and having tried to recover from that period into the Melissa period,” Vernon said.
The mayor further urged business owners to adapt to prevailing challenges and reposition themselves to harness the opportunities presented by a revitalised tourism industry.
“They, too, have to ensure that they position themselves to benefit from what is happening, knowing the tourism industry because, for the first time in a long time, I’ve seen double docking of ships over several days,” he said.
“I’m saying that the craft market must move beyond the sale of regular items… the paraphernalia of Jamaica, to the sale of an experience, of a culture that you can only experience,” Vernon stated.
He said this re-branding will, in turn, attract more tourists to the area and expand business opportunities to support vendors’ livelihoods as the industry recovers.
Meanwhile, the mayor advised that the shops damaged by Hurricane Melissa are insured and will be reconstructed in short order to allow for the resumption of regular operations.
- JIS News
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