Liberty Business to advance MoBay’s digital transformation- Mayor Vernon

Western Bureau

Montego Bay’s mayor, Councillor Richard Vernon, says the launch of Liberty Business represents a major step in positioning Montego Bay as a digitally empowered city capable of supporting economic expansion, smart governance, and resilient infrastructure.

Speaking at yesterday’s official launch of the new digital entity at the Rose Hall White Witch, in Montego Bay, Vernon, who is also the chairman of the St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC), said the transition from FLOW Business to Liberty Business signals a moment of transformation for Jamaica’s corporate and technological landscape.

“We are gathered here today at Rose Hall, this historic edifice, to witness a moment of transformation. Liberty Business emerges as a new force in enterprise connectivity and digital solutions, carrying forward the legacy of cable and wireless FLOW into a future defined by resilience, innovation, and ICT freedom,” Vernon said.

The mayor said digital transformation is now inseparable from national development, citing international studies that show that countries with strong ICT (information communication technology) ecosystems experience faster economic growth.

Citing a 2025 World Bank study, Vernon revealed that nations with robust ICT ecosystems experience gross domestic product (GCT) growth rates at nearly two percentage points higher than those without.

“In our country, ICT already contributes close to five per cent of GDP, and this shift is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory,” he stated.

Vernon said Liberty Business’ suite of services, including secure connectivity, cloud hosting, cybersecurity, and managed IT services, is essential to the functioning of modern economies.

“These are not merely technology conveniences, but more importantly, they are the arteries through which government services, financial institutions, tourism operations, and education platforms flow,” he said.

Vernon also linked the company’s expansion to Montego Bay’s broader urban transformation and ongoing discussions surrounding the formal gazetting of city boundaries.

According to him, strengthened digital infrastructure could improve data collection, governance, and service delivery within the proposed city limits.

“By strengthening digital infrastructure within the proposed city limits, we create the conditions for reliable data, equitable service delivery, and evidence-based governance. In this way, corporate innovation becomes a partner in municipal clarity,” he said.

Highlighting Montego Bay’s economic importance, Vernon noted that the city remains Jamaica’s leading hub for tourism and business process outsourcing.

“In 2025, the BPO sector employed over 55,000 Jamaicans, with Montego Bay hosting the largest share, and for tourism, Montego Bay continues to lead,” he said, noting that resilient digital systems and cybersecurity protections would be critical in sustaining investor confidence and supporting future growth.

“The announced partnership with Simply Secure is, therefore, timely. Cybersecurity breaches worldwide cost enterprises an estimated US$6 trillion annually. By embedding adaptive regional-scale security solutions, Liberty Business enhances investor confidence and safeguards the operations that underpin our city’s economic vitality,” he said.

Vernon also pointed to the growing housing demand and urban expansion in Montego Bay as additional reasons why smart digital planning tools are needed.

“Urban expansion has intensified demands for housing and sustained infrastructure. Between 2015 and 2025, housing demand in Montego Bay grew by nearly 25 per cent, driven by labour migration to tourism and BPO sectors,” he said, noting that Montego Bay remained Jamaica’s premier investment destination.

“Our city leadership is flexible and ready to entertain investors as this urban centre remains the most potent investment option in Jamaica,” he declared.

In congratulating Liberty Business on its rebranding and expansion, Vernon said the launch reflected the convergence of corporate innovation, urban modernisation, and national digital transformation.

“In short, this launch is a story of convergence — a company redefining its identity, a city undertaking modernity, and a nation embracing digital transformation. Together, these threads weave a narrative of resilience, opportunity and progress,” he said. albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com