“Folly hoodwinked” (Hollywood) style movie studio for Goodyear, St Thomas

Yesterday in his sectoral debate the Minister with responsibility for Investment and Trade made some big announcement in terms of multi-billion dollar plans for logistics hub,a new Caymanas Enterprise Team , which will be headed by none other that “Mr Can do it all “, Dr Vin Lawrence and plans for a “Follywood” style movie studio in St Thomas.

Now being very familiar and having more than a passing interest in this particular facility I pay very keen attention to any plans that have been put on the table for this area and so  Anthony Hylton’s statement peaked my interest.

I decided to go back and look at some of the plans that PNP government has placed on the table and then you can make your own assessment of what has occurred and what is likely to occur in the future.

 

June 6, 2000

Contract to refurbish Goodyear factory for tender

THE FIRST phase of a contract to refurbish the factory at Goodyear in St. Thomas is to go to tender in mid-July this year, and completion is set for December, 2001.

Making his presentation in the 2000/2001 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday (June 6), Minister of State for Industry, Commerce and Technology, Colin Campbell, said the architectural drawings for the development of the factory, which would be the country’s first silicon village, had been approved.

Noting that there would be 2,600 square metres of office space at Goodyear to benefit the Information Technology (IT) sector, Mr. Campbell said the first office would be ready six months after work had started

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20000612/Lead/Lead5.html

 

 

Feb 8, 2001

Plans for Goodyear plant still on – Hylton

It was initially slated to be the Technology Information hub in St. Thomas when the Production Train was launched. The Government initiated the programme last year to boost the productive sector and St. Thomas and the former Goodyear factory was a prime feature.

However, since that time there have been conflicting reports as to Government’s plan for the facility.

Foreign Trade Minister Anthony Hylton said plans for the former Goodyear facility have not been abandoned. Minister Hylton said there has been a slowing down of the plans when consideration was given to relocating the Information Technology hub to another section of western St. Thomas.

He said a proposal came to Government for a textile facility to be established in Jamaica. “The Government looked around and given the particular requirement and environment of the textile plant, one which was the abundance of water, Goodyear was one of the few sites that could meet those requirements,” Mr. Hylton said.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20010208/news/news5.html

Oct 4, 2002

Indian investors targeted for IT Park

THE Government is targeting investors from India to occupy newly renovated space at the Springfield Technology Park, formerly the Goodyear Factory in St. Thomas.

Speaking at an official tour of Phase One of the refurbishing programme at the Park last month, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Technology, Phillip Paulwell noted that as an English speaking country, Jamaica’s proximity to the US, a mere 1 1/2 hours from the US mainland, makes the island an ideal IT centre for Indian corporations.

The 96,000 sq. ft Goodyear factory was acquired by the Jamaican Government 3 years ago, and is undergoing a phased refurbishing programme. Now, Springfield IT Park, it is being developed for state-of-the-art IT infrastructure with full social and recreational amenities for workers in the park.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20021004/business/business8.html

 

Jan 25, 2004

HIGH RENTAL charges have put a halt on a multi-million dollar information technology project in St. Thomas. Investors say they cannot afford it.

With the promise of 4,000 new jobs, the project was launched 16 months ago by Government in conjunction with Cable and Wireless, to the tune of $150 million. The aim was to convert the old Goodyear tyre factory into 30,000 sq. ft of space at the Springfield Information Technology (IT) Park

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040125/lead/lead7.html

 

 

Dec 13, 2005

Call Center for old Goodyear Tyre Plant in St Thomas

The old Goodyear Tyre Factory in White Horses, St. Thomas is to be converted into a call centre operation, through funding from the charity group, Upliftment Jamaica.
“They intend to establish a call centre facility and over time, hundreds of residents of the parish will be employed here after being trained,” said Commerce, Science and Technology Minister, Phillip Paulwell.He was speaking to JIS News following the organization’s annual award’s gala, which was held on Saturday (Dec.10) at the factory.

http://jis.gov.jm/goodyear-factory-in-st-thomas-to-be-converted-into-call-centre/

 

 

April 27, 2007

Goodyear Tyre Plant to be divested

SINCE its closure in 1997, the former Goodyear factory just outside Morant Bay, St Thomas, has been like a thorn in the side of the current Government.

Several attempts to turn it into a post-Goodyear success have failed and, even now, a last-gasp bid to divest it has become mired in controversy

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/122020_Uproar-over-sale-of-former-Goodyear-plant

June 25, 2012

Planned called center and Goodyear factory is now a $143M Goat House

SEVEN years after Government spent more than $143 million to acquire the Goodyear factory in St Thomas with the stated intention of opening a call centre, the run-down facility lies idle, providing shelter for goats.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/-143-m-GOAT-HOUSE_11769566

And now May 21, 2014

Follywood (winked) for Goodyear Tyre Plant in St Thomas

Now you tell me, can you take the words of the minister seriously.

Actors in these botched plans (film) for the Goodyear Tyre Plant .

CAST

1. Colin Campbell – Now JUTC
2. Phillip Paulwell – Still at MSTEM
3. Anthony Hylton – Now Investment Minister.
4. PJ Patterson – Now actively retired and still party leader of the PNP
5. Portia Simpson -Miller – acting Prime Minister.

 

This has been a masterpiece of acting by the PNP between 2000 and 2014 , or over 14 years of acting and we have yet to produce something ( a film) worth seeing.

The new film studio will no doubt see a lot  more acting and it may another 14 years before we finally produce something worth seeing.

Call me pessimistic, but I have 14 yrs worth of data to support my pessimism !

🙂