HISTORY OF THE CHAMBER

 The St. Ann Chamber of Commerce came into being by a special resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the Ocho Rios Chamber of Commerce on March 9, 1983.
The Ocho Rios Chamber which gave birth to the St. Ann Chamber, was established on October 23rd, 1955.  Its founding members were:

Cyrus Elkins   Hotelier who became its first president
Lord Ronald Graham Realtor
Alan Keeling Public Relations Officer, Lydford, St. Ann
Alvin Young  Merchant
John Collier Farm Manager, Upton, St. Ann
Don Sutton-Brown  Hotelier
Don Bardowell Hotelier

The change of name was effected as it was felt that the Chamber’s influence should be extended to enhance the whole Parish and that this would be of mutual benefit both to the Chamber and the Parish. 

Membership of the Ocho Rios Chamber shortly after its inception grew to 50.  Today, the St. Ann Chamber has on its roll a membership of over 200. 

One of the early members of the Ocho Rios Chamber, Mr. William S. Cole, Vice President and General Manager of Reynolds Jamaica Mines (now deceased) deserves special mention as through his efforts and part-funding, the Chamber’s present site at Pineapple Place, Ocho Rios, was purchased and the fine building now occupied by the Chamber constructed. 

Bill Cole’s influence also enabled the Chamber to successfully negotiate for land for the relocation of the Old Market to its present site, and the construction of the main building.  Through his influence and funding by Reynolds Jamaica Mines, a sewerage disposal plant housed in an attractive cut stone building was established and maintained by Reynolds for the first two years. 

Throughout the ensuing years as its influence grew, the Chamber was able through powerful lobby, to have effected other meaningful improvements to the Town. 

  1. Initiating a study on the feasibility and mapping out an area of the coastal waters to be filled in to create what is now the Turtle Beach on which was subsequently built the Shopping Mall, the Towers, Jamaica Grande Hotel and Club Jamaica.
  1. Initiating negotiation for the purchase and/or donation of lands for the construction of the sidewalk on Main Street.
  1. Recommending the construction of a pedestrian underpass at Dunn's River.
  1. Negotiating with the Earl of Mansfield (through Lord Ronald Graham) for the acquisition of the lands at Buckfield for the development of the first low-middle income housing scheme in Ocho Rios.
  1. Mounting a relentless lobby with other organizations for the construction of a Bypass development road and an extended sewerage disposal system in Ocho Rios.
  1. Beautification projects and clean-up campaign in the Town, for which awards were given.
  1. Conducting a courtesy campaign including the production of a film depicting the negative effects of harassment.
  1. Planning and successfully implementing a street carnival as a further tourist attraction.
  1. Many other minor projects.

As the prosperity of Ocho Rios as a Tourist Resort grew, some undesirable features began to manifest themselves – harassment of visitors, petty crimes, inadequate garbage disposal, squatting, appearance of untidy shacks. 

To counter these problems, Tourism Action Plan (TAP) a joint Private and Public Sector venture was set up with a mandate to improve the Tourism Product.  TAP found it expedient to work with the Chambers of Commerce in the Resort areas.  Through TAP, funding from USAID was funneled through the Chambers of Commerce, and this funding enabled the St. Ann Chamber to:

1.      Employ its first manager

2.      Improve its office facilities

3.      Undertake a number of projects:
a.       Cleaning and painting public buildings
b.      Repairing sidewalks
c.       Providing park benches
d.      Erecting three (3) notice boards
e.       Construction of three (3) Tourist Information booths 

Regrettably, TAP funding came to an end and this seriously restricted further development activities of the Chamber.  However, it has continued through judicious management by a dedicated team of directors to improve its financial base and to be a powerful lobbying agent. 

The St. Ann Chamber of Commerce is proud of its record of service  to the community.  It has been conceptualizer, advisor, implementer planner, motivator, and effective lobby agent.

 To enable it  be even more effective, it established 1997 a joint secretariat with the St. Ann Chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (J.H.T.A.).

As it enters the new Millennium, it is well equipped with staff and with facilities, all of which are Y2K compatible to continue with the support of the wider community to improve the infrastructure and environment of St. Ann for the benefit of its people and visitors.

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Copyright © 1997 [St. Ann Chamber Of Commerce]. All rights reserved.
Revised: August 30, 2002 .