“Forgotten No More”: St. Thomas Celebrates Milestone with New Urban Centre

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Morgan Heritage led the historic unveiling of the Morant Bay Urban Centre, marking a transformative moment for St. Thomas. The new complex brings KFC, Devon House, Ribbiz, and essential government offices to the east, redefining the future of rural development

St. Thomas Celebrates Urban Centre Launch (Photo: Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation)

The Morant Bay Urban Centre was officially opened on Thursday by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, marking a milestone moment for the people of St. Thomas—a parish long stigmatized as Jamaica’s forgotten one.

The new complex features iconic brands such as fast-food giant KFC, Devon House Ice Cream, and Ribbiz Bar, along with key government services, including a tax office and a branch of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency. Holness noted that 40 businesses and offices are expected to serve the local community for at least the next 50 years.

The grand opening sparked widespread buzz online, with messages pouring in from proud residents and public figures. Among them was dancehall hitmaker and St. Thomas native Popcaan, who posted on social media: “Congratulations to my St. Thomas natives, been fighting a long time for these moments!!”

The launch also featured live performances by Gramps Morgan and Mojo Morgan of the Grammy-winning group Morgan Heritage—both proud sons of the parish. The ribbon-cutting ceremony held deeper meaning for the family, coinciding with the birthday of their late father, reggae icon Denroy Morgan.

“Dreams can become a reality! To see a project completed from start to finish in the ‘forgotten parish’ is a milestone our father didn’t live to see—but he always believed in the potential of St. Thomas,” Mojo told Kaboom Magazine. “Having the ribbon cutting fall on his birthday made it even more special. His belief, combined with the love from the people, is why we still live here to this day.”

“The future is now for St. Thomas. We should be proud as St. Thomasians—and even more proud as Jamaicans—when a first-world facility like the Morant Bay Urban Centre is developed in a rural area of an emerging nation,” he added.

Reggae singer Mojo Morgan during the Morant Bay Urban Centre' launch (Photo: Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation)

Mojo closed with a heartfelt tribute: “Long live Denroy Morgan, and let this be the dawning of a new day for people across the entire eastern region of the island.”