BASSETERRE: The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Unit has awarded EC$10,000 grants to 36 micro and small businesses in the inaugural phase of its Grant Programme, exceeding the original allocation of 25 recipients due to exceptional applications.
The diverse group of awardees spans industries including snackettes, beauty salons, agriculture, trucking, creative studios, and retail operations. Recipients include 5Trees Bar and Lounge, Camp David Fish Farm, Bro-Bread, Heavenly Produce, and Vikiesha Beauty Salon, among others.
H.E. Calvin St. Juste, Executive Chairman of the Board of Governors at CIU, emphasized the programme’s impact: “The grant programme was created to support micro and small businesses that are making a meaningful impact, businesses that innovate, create jobs, and strengthen our economy.”
The initiative prioritizes businesses aligned with Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew’s Sustainable Island State agenda, focusing on renewable energy, food security, technology, culture, and tourism.
Beyond funding, awardees gain access to business services including payroll systems, accounting support, and financial management tools through partnership with First Federal Credit Union.
“We are delighted to partner with the CIU on this groundbreaking initiative which is perfectly aligned to our mission to make financial success first-nature,” said Dawne Williams, CEO of First Federal Credit Union.
The programme intentionally includes micro enterprises, recognizing that smallest businesses often face the greatest challenges accessing capital. This direct investment aims to spur innovation, job creation, and fill critical market gaps while strengthening the Federation’s economic resilience.
The CIU indicated this is only the beginning, with plans to expand opportunities and ensure Citizenship Programme benefits continue uplifting local businesses.
Here are the 36 businesses that received the EC$10,000 grant:
- 5Trees Bar and Lounge
- B & J Auto Body Repairs
- Balang & Lynn Eatery
- Bro-Bread
- Camp David Fish Farm
- Cnet Systems
- Coconut Tree Bar & Grill
- De Canteen
- De Tights Lady
- Diamonds By D
- EliteFashion Accessories
- Express Trucking & Logistics
- Ez Shop Mini Mart
- Greenlight Tyre Repairs
- Heavenly Produce
- Hugo’s Joinery Shop
- Island Bombshell
- Israel Heavy Equipment and Trucking
- Jahnika’s Glam Spot
- Jamie’s Creations
- Kavvie’s Kreative Kollections
- Kulture’s Farm
- LBass Art Studio
- Leonie’s Nursery
- Love At First Bite
- Onsite Angels
- Pure Niceness
- Savellefashion
- Say Nuh More
- Seal My Sip
- SLVL The Brand
- SOULFOOD Kitchen
- Squeeze Me
- The Emerald
- Vikiesha Beauty Salon
- Wax Memories