TRELANY, Jamaica — A promise of renewal is on the horizon for Clark’s Town, once the economic heartbeat of northern Trelawny. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the quiet rural community is slated to be transformed into a thriving urban hub under the Jamaica Labour Party’s broader development agenda.
Holness delivered the news during a constituency tour alongside Member of Parliament Tova Hamilton, underscoring that Clark’s Town will not be left behind in the Government’s push to modernize Jamaica’s rural spaces.
Rural Towns, Urban Vision
The Prime Minister framed the initiative as part of a national policy to convert rural townships into well-structured urban centres. He pointed to the Morant Bay Urban Centre project as evidence that such plans are already materializing, encouraging residents to see the Clark’s Town proposal as the next step in that progression.
“We’re moving beyond promises. Rural towns like Clark’s Town will have modern infrastructure, structured housing, and a commercial backbone that brings back life and opportunity,” Holness said.
A Town in Decline
Clark’s Town has struggled to regain its footing since the shutdown of the Long Pond Sugar Factory in 2017, an event that crippled sugar cane production across Trelawny and gutted the town’s economic base. Once a bustling stop for workers and families alike, the town has since seen declining business activity and outmigration.
New Foundations
Holness confirmed that groundwork has already been laid for a significant housing project in Clark’s Town. While details of the commercial framework are still to come, the emphasis is on pairing residential development with business opportunities to restore the town’s vibrancy.
For many residents, the announcement offers a rare sense of optimism — that the town where livelihoods were lost may once again become a place where industries thrive and families settle.
