Local Businessman Boosts Construction Industry

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Business News

Thursday, 22 November 2012 02:27

By D Francis

Antigua St. John's - A local businessman is embarking on a housing project priced to attract low-income earners across Antigua & Barbuda.

Keith Joseph, a longtime businessman, gave high recognition to the Government of Antigua & Barbuda for providing adequate duty-free concessions in making the venture possible.

A short ground-breaking ceremony to officially mark the project was held about two weeks ago, and among those in attendance were Government officials and members of the community.

Caribarena visited the site in Jennings where construction of about a dozen low-income houses is taking place. During the visit heavy duty equipment and workmen were seen working on two foundations.

“We are presently working on the foundation for two of the houses, and this housing project is called ‘Beauty’s Place’,” said Keith Joseph. “I called it ‘Beauty’s Place’ in memory of my grandmother, Maria ’Beauty’ Gibson, who has played a major role in making me into the successful businessman that I am today.

"She taught me nothing come easy; she used to have a grocery shop and I use to help her sell and I make my brooms and so on and sell them, so when the boys were kicking football I was helping my grandmother and I learn how business operate. She raised me to work hard from an early age and I am very grateful.”

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Joseph, a father of four, said he lived in New York for 30 years and worked in the real estate business for a long time, having owned a ‘Century-21` real estate franchise in the United States. He used to run a chain-link fencing business, owned a hotel called ‘Paradise View’, and operated a hardware store on Fort Road before moving into the business of housing construction.

We asked him how he thinks this project will fare amid the much talked about economic crisis. “I think the houses will sell. I feel very positive about it. As you can see, we are working on two that are already sold and another two pre-qualified buyers are just waiting for the bank’s approval, so I am pretty positive the houses will sell. I mean we are talking about two- and three-bedroom concrete structures inclusive of land – with the great location, good price and relatively safe neighbourhood, I think they’ll go fast.”

Other areas where Joseph said he is taking the housing project are Robert Hall Road, Hodges Bay, Sea View Farm, Marble Hill and Pares Village. These will be aimed mostly at middle-income earners.

Joseph declared, “Once I clear down the designated areas and put the sign up and clients come on board I will start construction right away, no hold-ups.”

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