Crucial Economic Centers Reopen
DVIDS
by Spc. Ricardo Branch
1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
Instead of violence during Ramadan, the people saw the grand reopening of the agriculture bank and the small business center during the post holiday season Oct. 21 in Ramadi.
During the holiday period, there were 4 attacks compared to 2006, when there were more than 400.
The agriculture bank and the small business center, which were severely damaged from heavy fighting have been in disrepair for years, and used at various times by insurgents.
“We’ve been working at getting the agriculture bank up for a while,” said Lt. Col. Edward Gray, embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team member. “The bank will help give farms loans for their winter crops and help the farmers through difficult times.”
Gray, 43, from New Orleans, La., said they have been approached for sometime by farmers asking about the bank.
“We’ve had several meetings with city officials and agriculture members,” he said. “It’s been a big issue for them to see the bank reopen again.”
The small business center, which was completed during the month of Ramadan, will serve nearly 4,000 citizens of Ramadi, and host frequent job fairs to better boost the economy of the city.
“As the city of Ramadi returns to normalcy, the need for a business center will greatly enhance the ability to process loans, grants and bids on projects,” said 1st Lt. Saul Merejo, civil military operations officer for 1st Brigade Combat Team.
Ramadi Mayor Latif Iyala, who cut the ribbons during the grand reopening said, “The tribes worked together here in the city to defeat the terrorists, and the best example of their work can be seen today with the opening of the small business center.”
The small business center, he said will be one step towards cementing the peace and improving the livelihood of the people.
With Ramadi having seen lots of violence in the last three years, Iyala believes the peace will last well into the future.
He said, “The peace will be permanent because the people have realized the hardships brought upon by working with terrorists, which resulted in the deaths of many sons and daughters of Ramadi.”
The people suffered a lot, Iyala said. “It’s a new city now, and we’re all happy because we’re moving on towards a better life for all. We’re looking for a better and brighter future for all, and we are going to achieve it.”
Subscribe
Comments