Black River market to get 170 vending stalls

Construction of 170 vending stalls at the Black River Market in St. Elizabeth is to begin shortly, following the signing of a $16.7 million contract, to undertake the project. It is being financed from $25 million allocated by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) for this second phase of the Black River Market Rehabilitation Project.     

The contract was awarded to Tank-Weld Limited for the construction, transportation and installation of the market stalls, this week.     

Local Government Minister Noel Arscott, while speaking at the contract signing, announced that the Black River market is one of 25 key markets across the island that the government has identified for redevelopment, in partnership with the respective local authorities.   

He said each Council will eventually have a facility which supports the economic needs of small independent entrepreneurs within their jurisdictions as well as providing a steady and welcome source of revenue for the Councils’ coffers.                        

He asserted that the Black River market, upon completion, will be a state-of-the-art facility, adding that consumers are  being given prime consideration as the aisles of the market will be well laid out with clearly identified areas, in addition to which, there will adequate parking, bathrooms, and food service facilities.