BUSINESSES in St. George's are "hanging on by a thread" because of Government neglect, according to Opposition Senator Kim Swan.And the area resident said Government's failure to secure a deal for the derelict former Club Med resort demonstrated it has turned a blind eye to the island's former capital.

"We have been waiting for 18 years for that area to be turned into an economic centre — it's what the town needs," Sen. Swan said.

"Businesses are hanging on by a thread. They can't rely on transient cruise ship passengers or tourists visiting from other parts of the island alone, for survival.

"There's no reason why a combination of hotel, residential and business developments could be designated for the Club Med property. It's an economic zone that needs attention and all Government needs to do is wake up and cause the will to take root.

"But the way in which the Quorum Group was cast aside in favour of the phantom KJA company, it gave people the impression that Government just doesn't care about the property. Government has turned a blind eye and adopted a quasi hands-off approach."

Sen. Swan said many people chose to live in the town but a lack of employment opportunities meant they were having to commute into Hamilton to work.

And he accused Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler — who recently took part in a 'Dancing with the Stars' competition — of failing to do his job.

"The Minister is dancing with the stars, well we're going to have people sleeping under the stars soon because too many Government Ministers are trying to be stars," he said.

"But in order to sustain its businesses, the St. George's community needs a business hub. There needs to be some tangible development taking place which will create jobs in the community.

"Businesses will then be able to feed off those businesses."