Jamaica’s major new integrated resort project is slated to begin development in the beginning of 2017, government officials said this week.

An integrated resort means a property with a hotel and casino component and a minimum of 2,000 hotel rooms.

The development is being carried out by one of two investors who have received approved development offers for casino resorts in Jamaica, according to Finance Minister Audley Shaw.

The plan is for the project to break ground in January while operating a temporary casino as hotel rooms are built out.

“[Integrated resorts] are expected to strengthen the tourism industry’s competitiveness and bolster economic development through job creation, increased tax revenue and additional demand for locally produced goods and services,” Shaw said.

The project was first announced in January

— CJ Staff