🏗️ Cayman Islands government grants $450k for church redevelopment

The Church of God Chapel in West Bay has received a grant of $450,000 from the Cayman Islands Government. The funds are aimed at the redevelopment of the church building, which will include an emergency shelter for 200 people from the surrounding community. The grant has been sourced from unused capital expenditure in the 2023 budgets of the social development and infrastructure ministries. The project has been in progress for several years but was hindered due to escalating costs. 🏦

The church building, which suffered structural damage during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, has reached 60% completion through insurance proceeds, fundraising efforts, and support from a prior government. The new facility, once completed, will serve as an emergency shelter during hurricanes and other major disasters, and as a community center for social programming. The church estimates that the new building can comfortably accommodate 200 people when operating as a shelter. The need for the building's completion and the additional emergency shelter space is pressing, given the considerable growth of the West Bay district since the project began. 🏘️

The grant has been described as a "multi-purpose community investment" by Social Development Minister André Ebanks. The church aims to raise a total of CI$1 million to finish the facility and supporting infrastructure. Local organisations, businesses and individuals who wish to support this project can contact the Church of God Chapel in West Bay. 🙏