A new economic development program aims to regenerate Linden
Economic Development Program Manager, Ms. Onika Stellingburg.
Kaieteur News – The Linden Fund USA (LFU) has launched a new economic development program through its Linden Fund Guyana Office to support economic recovery in Linden. In a press release, LFU stated, “this vital program will be a catalyst for community development, especially as the International Monetary Fund forecasts an 8.1 percent growth in Guyana’s economy over 2021.”
The LFU Team also announced that it would provide expert leadership in ensuring that the Linden community could benefit from this growth, ensuring business development and expansion, job creation and increased cash flow around the community.
It was noted that this program was on the heels of the announcement of major Government-led infrastructure development work in the region, with support from the Caribbean Development Bank. It was revealed, “this infrastructure work will oversee the upgrade of the Linden to Mabura Road, estimated to be around US $ 190 million.” The upgrade will be a catalyst for community growth, promoting the increased movement of goods and services between the two locations and beyond.
LFU said it plans to work to ensure development in Linden provides an environment for local growth alongside national growth, especially as Guyana transforms into a large oil producing and exporting nation.
Through its Linden office, LFU will focus efforts on community engagement, small business growth and workforce development. “There will be a concerted effort to leverage diaspora links and local partnerships with all stakeholders to support the development and invest directly into businesses and projects in the community,” the statement added.
Established in 1999, LFU has an impressive track record of effective projects including mobilizing over G $ 129.2 million in funding and materials for projects focused on health, community development and education. These steps are expected to expand even as the organization sets its sights on partnership and engagement with the multilateral multinational oil and gas companies now living in Guyana; the offices of Mayor Linden, Regional Chairman, Linden Technical Institute and all other stakeholders from the various sectors across the country.
Arika Stellingburg, Economic Development Program Manager, leads the delivery of this program and manages community and stakeholder engagement. Previously, Ms. Stellingburg has served as Adviser on Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development and Forests at Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. She is an expert climate change negotiator and skilled in stakeholder engagement, international policy development and multilateral diplomacy. She has significant experience of working with the Government of Guyana mainstreaming sustainable development into multi-year national budgets, bringing projects and initiatives developed in line with national and international plans. Previously, Ms. Stellingburg also served with the Caribbean Regional Youth Council, where he worked in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Labor Office and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, to operate a conference-focused immersion conference. on decent work and economic growth, using US $ 180,000 to oversee the operation of this conference.
The statement further stated, “the initial implementation of the new economic development program is expected to be a quarterly business diagnosis survey and economic development forum to connect businesses with investors and other interested partners. These activities will help LFU identify needs, challenges and areas for growth across Linden. “
It was noted that the resulting data will be used to drive project development, partnership activities and community resource investment.