RESEARCHER / T. SCOTT WILLIAMS

We support the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act that recognizes a Creative and Cultural Industries designation under the Government of Jamaica’s Global Logistic Hub Initiative. We see the CCIZ playing a key role in economic reforms, attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment, catalysing the development of a creative and cultural industrial cluster, attracting new technologies, adopting modern management practices and providing opportunities for this important sector.

We propose that the CCIZ be located in South East St Andrew along the Arthur Wint Drive/Tom Redcam Avenue Corridor; a two kilometer span which is anchored by the National Stadium Complex in the north east corner, the Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing Arts and the National Library towards the southern end. 

Already the footprint exists under the clusters of academic, small business and industrial activities and amongst residential and family communities. There’s space available to fulfill needs (food safety) and accommodate dreams (a film lot). It’s a unique location that calls for a bi-partisan effort for culture, community and business.  

The idea is not to confine cultural activity within permanent boundaries but to create an enabling environment that offers incentives to existing and new businesses to participate creatively, to ‘refresh’ the neighbourhood, to leggo the vibes for the children's hospital and engage the youth in the benefits of an education that includes the arts.