The Bahamas Telecommunications Company has invested $240,000 in the reopening of two stores in Grand Bahama in just three days.
The stores on Pioneers Way and High Rock represent projects number two and three on a laundry list of major renovations and openings through the country for BTC.
More than 100 Bahamians found employment through the two renovations.
The openings follow the unveiling of BTC's new flagship store in Mall at Marathon last month, bringing the firm's total investment up to three-quarters of a million.
In all, 46 more openings and refurbishments will occur this year.
"The new concept fits the BTC vision of offering better choices for its customers," said Marlon Johnson, vice president of Brand and Communication, in reference to the opening at High Rock. "Now, people of East Grand Bahama can do much more than pay a bill and can access all of the latest telecommunications technology in their own community."
Whereas previously the High Rock branch only offered a basic payment center, the 160 square-foot store will now offer the technology and conveniences of a modern retial store.
Internet, land-line packages and full cellular services are now provided out of the east Grand Bahama store.
The roll out of retail offerings also coincides with BTC's 4G launch late last year, an initiative that cost the firm tens of million in network infrastructure.
Neko Grant, the minister of public works and Transport, is also the MP of Lucaya.
He was on hand for the reopening of the much larger Pioneers Way retail store.
"We are grateful that this project by BTC to demolish and rebuild has resulted in the creation of various job opportunities on Grand Bahama," Grant said in a statement. "I am told that during the life of the project to re-create this area now occupied b the store, approximately one hundred Grand Bahamians in the construction industry were employed to complete necessary works. As Minister of Public Works, I have been impressed by the reports regarding the efficiency of the work schedule of this project to renovate this 2,000 square-foot space."
Similar to the Junkanoo theme at the flagship store at Mall at Marathon, BTC employed local artists to produce Bahamian-themed art for the walls at the Pioneer Way store.
Lamaro Smith and FDK Laminators & Graphic Dsign were commissioned to produce the 216-square-door mural of fishermen.
Other staff was hired for the grand opening weekend.
The next scheduled openings are scheduled for March in Exuma and Abaco.
BTC is currently in the midst of a new retail strategy whereby it is expanding its services throughout the country. The company is also keen to create more small business opportunities by invited qualified entrepreneurs to create stores and booths to sell the products.
"The majority of the new stores and kiosks will be owned and operated by Bahamians," Johnson said in an earlier interview. "We are refurbishing a lot of our exiting properties and looking to create opportunities for people who want to open small centers or kiosks in existing stores as well." 

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