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8 receive keys to units @ Entrepreneurial Zone in Huntums Ghut

Eight businesspersons today, Friday, September 11, 2026, were presented with their unit keys as the first set of entrepreneurs to occupy the Entrepreneurial Zone in Huntums Ghut. Photo: VINO
Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) gives remarks at the Key Giving Ceremony in Huntums Ghut. Photo: VINO
Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL) gives remarks at the Key Giving Ceremony in Huntums Ghut. Photo: VINO
Minister for Communications and Works, and Fifth District Representative, Hon Kye M. Rymer, right, and Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), left, at the Key Giving Ceremony for the Entrepreneurial Zone in Huntums Ghut. Photo: VINO
Minister for Communications and Works, and Fifth District Representative, Hon Kye M. Rymer, right, and Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), left, at the Key Giving Ceremony for the Entrepreneurial Zone in Huntums Ghut. Photo: VINO
The Entrepreneurial Zone, an incubator for start-ups and emerging businesses, is the first of its kind in the Virgin Islands and a promise delivered by Fifth District Representative Hon Kye M. Rymer. Photo: VINO
The Entrepreneurial Zone, an incubator for start-ups and emerging businesses, is the first of its kind in the Virgin Islands and a promise delivered by Fifth District Representative Hon Kye M. Rymer. Photo: VINO
HUNTUMS GHUT, Tortola, VI- Eight businesspersons today, Friday, September 11, 2026, were presented with their unit keys as the first set of entrepreneurs to occupy the Entrepreneurial Zone in Huntums Ghut.

The Entrepreneurial Zone, an incubator for start-ups and emerging businesses, is the first of its kind in the Virgin Islands and a promise delivered by Fifth District Representative Hon Kye M. Rymer, who is also the Minister for Communications and Works.

Nine businesspersons have been approved to occupy units at the Entrepreneurial Zone; however, only eight were present at the Key Giving Ceremony in Huntums Ghut.

1st beneficiaries of Entrepreneurial Zone

The eight receiving their keys were Niasha Benjaman (Fiesta Gifts & Event Supplies), Rudolph Lewis (Lifeline Transport Services), Alisma Wheatley, Darwin R. Scatliffe (Caribbean Corner Market), Khadija Sampson (Smart & Glam Braider), Reanyke Garraway (Island Suppliers 284), Shamahnea Simmons (Eclipse Gloss), and Akeem Legair (Fragrance Oasis VI). Lisa Smith (Suds N Tings) is the ninth person approved.

The successful applicants were required to present a comprehensive business plan that clearly explained their business idea, how the operation would generate revenue and how it could grow.

The selected businesspersons will be able to operate from the incubator for a period of two to four years while working with the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs to strengthen their business operations and prepare for the wider commercial market.

Among those giving remarks were Hon Rymer; Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL); Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation, Mrs Natalie J. Fahie-Smith; and Deputy Director of the Department of Trade, Investment, Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Dr Lincoln E. Bobb.

Also present were Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9); and Junior Minister for Culture & Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4).

16 Responses to “8 receive keys to units @ Entrepreneurial Zone in Huntums Ghut”

  • smfh (11/09/2026, 17:20) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    The making everything else a priority than the priorities.
  • mehnknow (11/09/2026, 17:28) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    lol you know those that rent office space upset they cant capitalize on those they wouldn't rent to. we need a medium/large indoor flea market with affordable rental kiosks so more businesses can operate and consumers don't have to hop around to get various services completed
    • @mehnknow (11/09/2026, 21:50) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      We dont need another ghetto we had tent city and we got the market go sell them. The kiosks cheap to
  • bvibuzz (11/09/2026, 17:58) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    kye looking out for his people 4 more years
  • HMMM (11/09/2026, 19:34) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nice bunch of young people. Please young people do honest business. Pay your rent on time and we will all support your businesses. Good luck.
    • Sneaky SpoonBill (15/09/2026, 08:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just by the type of business some of them got might as well name the stores the MONEY LAUNDRY. Most don't have a DEMAND so how they getting profits?
  • rent (11/09/2026, 20:01) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope it don't turn out like craftalive where the shop owners don't pay rent. Government will most likely be the one to be owed. Prove me wrong. Let's see how it goes in 6 months. Good initiative but you know how things go around here
  • How About (11/09/2026, 20:26) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    BUILDING SOME AFFORDABLE SINGLE BEDROOM APARTMENTS THAT IS IN GREAT DEMAND • WHEN YOU.. DO FIND ONE THESE LANDLORDS ARE LIKE PREDATORS ( THEY JACK UP THE PRICES ) " JAWS " OR " TRUMP " CANNOT TOUCH THESE GREEDY VULTURES / HOPE THEY CAN TAKE ALL THE MONEY IN THEIR CASKETS WITH THEM WHEN THEY GOING "BONE YARD " • AND OUR " ELITE " GOVERNMENT JUST SIT BACK AND ALLOW THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OTHEF HUMAN BEINGS , BECAUSE THEIR FAMILY & FRIENDS ARE IN THE BUSINESS ~ AND EVEN " SOME AH DEM " POLITICIANS ARE IN THAT BUSINESS TOO BEHIND THE SCENES .
  • Soon real soon (11/09/2026, 22:24) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    They will become rent-free just like crafts alive and the Market
  • blessings (12/09/2026, 09:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Blessings to the entrepreneurs embarking on this new journey! In a society where negative news always at the forefront it’s refreshing to see something positively impactful
    . Looking forward to supporting as much of you as possible! God’s richest blessings upon you all.
  • hmm (12/09/2026, 11:53) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of the already established businesses who can stand on their own don’t need to be there.
    What happen to the younger people who are just starting their businesses and could benefit more.
  • @hmm (12/09/2026, 22:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MORE INTERESTED IN THE WHITE LADY WHERE THEY CAN BECOME " POPULAR " BUSINESS MEN & WOMEN OVERNIGHT AND BUILD CASTLES ON THE HILLSIDES AND LIVE FAST AND DIE YOUNG - SADLY THAT HAS BECOME OUR ADOPTED CULTURE AFTER WE WERE INTRODUCED TO THE CARTELS.


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