GEORGETOWN, EXUMA- A partner in the proposed February Point development said the deal to purchase the property will be finalized in a matter of weeks and is moving forward "100 percent".
Burton Rodgers also refuted claims that John McGarvey is not the project's principal, stating that he has invested "way more" than has been reported.
He, along with other key stakeholders including investors and developers, attended the first meeting of the Exuma Advisory Council, hosted by the Exuma Chamber of Commerce at Grand Isle Resort & Spa yesterday to voice their concerns.
Rodgers pointed out that for the developers at February Point, apart from making money the main objective is for Exumians to benefit. It's a sentiment Rodgers noted that he shares with Prime Minister Perry Christie.
"It is a project that has the support of the government and the people of Exuma. The real and hard work will begin in the next couple of weeks, once that is signed off. But there is still a heads of agreement that is going to be negotiated with the government and they will oversee this process," he told Guardian Business.
"We're moving forward with the development 100 percent. Because of the complexity of the deal and it involving homeowners, we are just trying to work out those agreements with the personnel that are involved in the project.
"We should be finalizing the deal in a couple of weeks.
I don't know of any deal of this magnitude can happen within days, weeks or even a month. I have yet to let somebody find me one. Everybody that comes to The Bahamas to invest comes with the intent to make money. We definitely don't want to make the mistakes that other projects have."
Rodgers also confirmed that McGarvey has spent close to $400,000 in severance and payments to the National Insurance Board (NIB) to former employees of February Point.
"There have always been persons that have wanted to be a part of the project and we are definitely entertaining them. That's also a process that has to be approved by the government."
"Exuma, like any other place in The Bahamas, needs employment, which brings opportunities. If people are working, there are going to be things that are needed for that community. It's more than just employment, I think we have an opportunity to have a stake in the pie and the government is making sure of that," Rodgers added.
Guardian Business revealed on Monday that John McGarvey, cited by the government as the key player behind the bid to purchase and redevelop February Point, has been soliciting financing to purchase the property, which he intends to develop, from homeowners and others on the island.
An extension of the completion date for the purchase was recently sought in order to finalize a new agreement among business partners, Guardian Business understands.
Former Cabinet minister and Exuma MP, George Smith, has stated that he is disappointed the government has entertained McGarvey's proposals, suggesting that his solicitation of financing to purchase February Point could indicate a limited capacity to follow through on further development plans.

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