Three Antigua Businesses Secure EC$210,000 to Support Expansion

Three locally owned businesses in Antigua and Barbuda have received approval for a combined EC$210,000 in financing through the government’s Entrepreneurial Development Programme (EDP). The funding will support the expansion of R. Cole’s Grocery Plus, Duberry Estates and KCH Properties, with the businesses operating across the retail, tourism and accommodation sectors. R. Cole’s Grocery Plus, operated by Riett Cole in All Saints, was approved for EC$50,000. The business has been operating since 2013 and is expanding its services to include a deli offering prepared and ready-to-eat foods, premium coffee and espresso, along with additional refrigerated and frozen products. Cole has already invested more than EC$77,000 of her own funds into the expansion. The additional financing will assist with completing infrastructure work and purchasing a generator and two commercial deep freezers. Duberry Estates, operated by Catherine Williams-Joseph, received approval for EC$100,000. The financing will go toward completing roofing work on a five-unit luxury short-term rental development near the Jolly Harbour North Gate. The apartments are intended to accommodate tourists, couples and small families and will complement Williams-Joseph’s existing tourism business, Mary’s Taxi Tours & Rentals. The development is expected to initially create employment for four people. KCH Properties, operated by Colin Harrigan and Karel Forde-Harrigan, was approved for EC$60,000. The financing will be used to purchase furniture for additional apartment units as the company expands its accommodation operations. According to the government, the Entrepreneurial Development Programme is designed to provide affordable financing to local entrepreneurs seeking to establish or expand viable businesses.