If Government put satellite offices at the East End, it would help the area's businesses to generate some badly needed revenue.

That was one of the suggestions put forward by East Enders who had their say on the future of the Economic Empowerment Zone (EEZ) in their area at a series of meetings held over the past week.

The meetings were run by Erica Smith, director of the EEZ Agency — the first, which was held last Thursday at Clearwater Middle School, attracted almost 50 residents and community members, while the second at East End Primary on Monday evening pulled in twice the crowd.

At both meetings, Mrs. Smith defined "empowerment" and what is meant by an EEZ, updating residents on the work accomplished to date in setting up an EEZ in North East Hamilton and the progress being made on implementing an EEZ in the West End.

Mrs. Smith explained that the purpose of the meetings was to get feedback from residents and community stakeholders on their vision for a better East End.

The 20-minute presentation was followed by break out sessions resulting in attendees being split into four groups to discuss the economic, physical, spiritual and social needs of the East End. Participants debated the opportunities and challenges that currently exist in the East End and came up with a number of potential solutions.

At the end of the group sessions, a spokesperson from each of the smaller groups presented a summary of their group's priorities.

The economic group said that one way to generate revenue in the East End would be to establish satellite Government offices there, and as a result, those who work there would have to use the services offered in the area, thus stimulating the declining economy. All of the issues put forward were then reviewed and ranked in order of importance. One of the attendees at the East End Primary session said that the meetings were a good opportunity to allow the voices of residents in the community to be heard and she was looking forward to the East End being re-established.

Marcus Jones, project manager for the East End EEZ, said: "Residents and business owners in the East End are passionate about their communities as evidenced by the many people that showed up to contribute to the meetings."

"These public meetings are the first steps to working with the community and business members to re-establishing a live, work and play environment in the East End."