Work on the $220 million Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Village set for Cat Island is expected to move ahead, once the approvals are finalized by week's end.
Philip Brave Davis, the deputy prime minister and minister of public works and urban development, confirmed that the government will meet with representatives associated with the project this week.
He noted that funding for the proposed $16 million New Bight International Airport in Cat Island is also an issue that will be discussed during this week's meetings.
In October, the developer behind the first PGA Village outside of the U.S. revealed plans for a new international airport to be constructed on Cat Island in collaboration with the government.
While the exact terms and financing have yet to be finalized, phase one of the airport redevelopment, a $9 million venture, will involve the construction of a new terminal building and the resurfacing of the existing runway.
"The plans for the airport have already been done. We just have to decide the arrangements between ourselves as to the funding of its construction once the plans are approved and that will hopefully be taking place next week as well," according to Davis.
Phase two brings the total bill to $16 million, chiefly through the construction of a new runway that will be 150 feet wide and 7,000 feet long.
"At the moment, there will be no investment by the government but we are going to come up with an arrangement where they build the airport. Then we work out a formula where they can be paid back for their investment," he explained.
Once the approvals have been finalized, Davis believes it will put the developers in a position to move ahead with the golfing community.
"They have assured us that once we would have done the things they have requested like the electricity franchise, which has been signed and the water franchise that is about to be signed, along with the proper arrangements as to the construction of the new airport terminal, they are ready to go. Hopefully, next week they will be in a position to go. Then it will be their decision as to the timetable."
Ground was broken on the proposed 1,906-acre oceanfront resort in April 2009, originally set to open in May 2012.
It was in 2008 when the PGA of America announced it entered a licensing agreement with Cat Island Partners Ltd., developers of the Cat Island Golf and Beach Resort.
The property would be owned by Cat Island Partners Ltd. and operated by Southworth Golf, a subsidiary of Southworth Development LLC, of Newton, Massachusetts.
The proposed PGA Village would include two 18-hole championship golf courses, a five-star hotel and a variety of residential properties. A tennis center, casino, apartment complex and full-service beach club have also been proposed for the development.

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