On Wednesday J.Wray and Nephew Limited confirmed that it will cease operating its Appleton Estates Sugar Factory in St.Elizabeth. 370 employees will be impacted.

In an effort to soften the blow, farmers and communities impacted by the closure will benefit from overJ$500 million in assistance from the company. The intervention programme will be spread over a three-year period, beginning in August 2020 and ending in 2023.

As part of its short term efforts, the company along with the Ministry of National Security has delivered 1000 care packages to individuals in the affected communities.