While it has been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, two Berry Islands businessmen were not willing to take that chance when they found their island completely wiped off the map -- literally.
"While doing research," said resident Mark Lothian, "we came across a map of The Bahamas that the Berry Islands was omitted from."
It's a finding that inspired the soon-to-be launched BerryzBuzz.com, which Lothian and partner Norman Bastian hopes will bring a change for the island's economy.
"The global recession has impacted everywhere negatively [and] no where in The Bahamas more than in the Family Islands," said Lothian.  "The Berry's, being a very small, archipelagic, spread-out community, has been especially hard hit.
"Although we have almost complete employment, the economy is still not providing a decent living wage for anyone. All the businesses have been affected and little growth has taking place in the last few years. Most residents need to have several jobs just to make ends meet."
The partners are hoping to take matters into their own hands with the launch of the website, designed around promoting the islands, its attractions and its businesses.
The owners hope to grow the island's visitor base not only in the second-home market, but also from stop-overs wanting to spend time on the island.
It's a goal officials have said won't be realized until a major hotel is built on the more populated islands that can handle the crowd.
However, Lothian and Bastian believe leaving the island in its present state - with several inns and small bed and breakfasts littering the islands -- will actually work to the benefit of the island and distinguish it from the rest of The Bahamas.
"There are people out there just looking for a place like the Berry Islands to visit and to reside: a virtually crime-free, uncrowded, unspoiled, tranquil setting for the week-end visitor and the long-term resident or investor," said Lothian.  "We disagree (that a hotel must be built), there are many rooms available, provided by boutique style bed and breakfast establishments, villa and townhouse apartments and attached and semi-attached rooms in private homes.
"Most of these are owned and operated by individuals that will offer the visitor personalized service to supply all their needs and wants."
Uniqueness is what they hope to showcase with the BerryzBuzz.com website, a virtual forum to promote local merchants and service providers to potential new customers and to promote the Berry Island chain to the world via the Internet.
Given that many of the businesses there are owner operated, there isn't much room for huge advertising or promotion budgets, said Lothian.
He intends to fill that void with more affordable rates that also target corporate and national businesses as advertisers to cover the bulk of the website's operating costs.  The move is expected to defray their expenses and allow them to charge less than other traditional mediums for global coverage.
"What makes BerryzBuzz.com a unique platform for advertising and promoting the Berry Islands and its merchants is the fact that it will not be a static publication," said Lothian.
"We will be actively seeking visitors and investors through the advent of e-mail, blogging, social media and live response venues as well as strategic links to affiliated websites. BerryzBuzz.com will be constantly updated and improved as we grow."
Currently under construction, the website will be launched October 1.
"It is our hope that all the businesses, local and national we approach, will support us in this endeavor," Lothian added.  "We will put the Berryz back on the map."

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