Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party candidate for St. Philip's South, Kiz Johnson, says her economic vision for the constituency will focus on integrating local workers into public projects and expanding small businesses, with a particular emphasis on agriculture and agro-processing.
According to Antigua News Room, Johnson outlined her plans during a Know Your Candidates interview, arguing that the constituency already possesses the skills needed to drive development — and that her role would be to ensure residents directly benefit from government-backed initiatives.
"My way of supporting them is to get them into these roads, it's to get them into infrastructure," Johnson said, pointing to ongoing and planned roadworks as concrete opportunities for employment and income generation.
She argued that many residents — including heavy-duty equipment operators, farmers, and small business owners — are already equipped to contribute but have not always been fully included in major projects.
"I say so boldly without reservation and hesitation that the people of St. Philip's South, for every single project that we want to undertake, the people are right there in my constituency," she said.
Johnson also highlighted agro-processing as a key growth area, citing the example of a local farmer who produces guava jam and currently supplies several hotels. She said the case illustrates both the potential and the limitations facing small-scale operators.
"That particular farmer says to me… right now she services about three hotels," Johnson said, noting that the business owner is cautious about expanding too quickly for fear of being unable to meet increased demand.
Johnson said part of her plan involves providing the support necessary to scale such operations, enabling more residents to transition from small production to sustainable commercial activity.
When asked whether her focus would be limited to agro-processing, Johnson broadened her framing. "Entrepreneurship generally," she said, describing the sector as one example of wider opportunities available within the constituency.
She has branded her overall campaign message as "the bold way forward," linking economic participation to long-term community development.
The April 30 general election will determine whether Johnson, a first-time candidate, can unseat the incumbent United Progressive Party representative in what is expected to be a closely contested race.
