Visitors to the Bubbling Spring Mineral Bath in Middle Quarters, St Elizabeth, frolic in the water flowing from the spring. It is believed that the water has healing properties. - Contributed photos

There is something good bubbling on the south coast for tourism development. It is happening in St Elizabeth in a little district named Point Hill, which is located in a community very famous for its spicy, juicy shrimp, called Middle Quarters.

Welcome to Bubbling Spring Mineral Bath, one of the newest and most popular attractions along the south coast.

On almost any given day, this little spot is packed with local and overseas tourists wanting to experience the soothing waters gushing from the mineral spring.

It has miraculous healing properties, locals say, and some who have bathed in the spring are convinced that it alleviates the pain and ailments of aching bones and bodies.

But it is another miracle that its owner, Lincoln Fagan, is most thankful for. He started the business on the advice of neighbours and friends nine years ago, but in spite of the uniqueness of his absolutely natural product, it was a struggle to keep it open - until he found a remedy.

Certified

Lincoln Fagan, proprietor of Bubbling Spring Mineral Bath, talks about the therapeutic benefits of the spring.

"I called in the Scientific Research Council (SRC) because I couldn't just take people's word for it that the spring had healing properties," Fagan said. He also applied for and received a permit from the National Environment and Planning Agency.

Carol Thompson of the SRC said the council tested for sodium, calcium, potassium, manganese and iron. Most of these elements are also found in other major mineral baths in the island, such as Milk River Bath in Clarendon.

Many people promised to invest in the property, Fagan said, but none of them came forward with the funds. The situation left him in a bind that made it nearly impossible to develop the project and market his product.

"JN Small Business Loans came in when my back was against the wall and I had nowhere else to turn."

Fagan obtained a loan from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) through JN Small Business Loans Limited (JNSBL) and he is fulsome in his gratitude for the assistance.

JNSBL, one of the island's largest lenders to micro, small and medium enterprises, has disbursed some 61 TEF loans valued at $155.7 million as at August 2009.

Applicants can receive up to $3 million from the fund at an interest rate of three per cent per annum for a maximum of five years. And 30 per cent of the loan proceeds may be used to assist the applicant with becoming tax compliant.

Available to operators

"The TEF loan is available to assist small-business operators in the tourism sector," said General Manager of JNSBL, Frank Whylie.

"Small hotels, attractions, villas and apartment owners in Jamaica can receive assistance to expand and develop their properties."

Fagan learned about the loan facility through the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCO) and, to his surprise, obtaining the loan from JNSBL was a much smoother process than he had anticipated.

"When I approached them, I thought I would get the same run-around that everybody else gave me," Fagan said. "But the hardest part was preparing the documents required. Shortly after that, they approved the loan."

After celebrating with his family when word came that his $3 million loan had been approved, Fagan went to work immediately. He upgraded the facility by repainting the structure and dredging the bath. He added river stones to the bottom of the pool and installed a ramp for the disabled to enhance his visitors' experience. A restaurant located on the property was re-painted and 100 more seats added. He also put in other attractions, such as go-kart racing.

200 guests daily

And visitors flowed into the new and improved Bubbling Spring Mineral Bath facility as never before.

"Before, we used to see about five people coming here each day. Now, I am getting 50, some days 100, and sometimes 200 people a day," Fagan said. "People just start wondering what happened to Bubbling Spring. It just transformed in about a month."

The improved business has generated employment for many in the community. Fagan was able to increase his own staff complement by 100 per cent, moving the numbers employed to him from three to six.

Additionally, he buys produce and meat for his restaurant directly from farmers in the community. Shrimp vendors also benefit from the establishment, as they are allowed to sell to the visitors outside the gates of the facility, while bus and taxi operators have seen an increase in demand for their service from persons wanting to visit the bath.

Fagan will be investing more into his business soon, hoping to add villas to the package to provide his visitors with a place to rest their head.