Three locally owned businesses have been approved for loans totaling EC$210,000 to expand a grocery store and visitor accommodations, the government said.

Riett Cole, owner of R. Cole’s Grocery Plus in All Saints Village, was approved for EC$50,000 to finish a new deli and buy a generator and two commercial deep freezers. Cabinet said Cole has already put more than EC$77,000 of her own money into the expansion.

Duberry Estates, operated by Catherine Williams-Joseph, was approved for EC$100,000 to complete roofing on a five-apartment short-term rental development near Jolly Harbour’s North Gate. Williams-Joseph, who also operates Mary’s Taxi Tours & Rentals, plans to offer accommodation alongside tourism services. Cabinet said the business is expected to employ four people initially.

KCH Properties, operated by Colin Harrigan and Karel Forde-Harrigan, was approved for EC$60,000 to furnish additional apartment units.

The applications were reviewed by the Entrepreneurial Development Programme’s Loan Review Committee before being submitted to Cabinet for approval.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Three Local Businesses Secure EC$210,000 in Expansion Loans.