Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO) is joining the country in an eager countdown to the 50th CARIFTA Games slated for early April. The water supplier recently signed on as a bronze sponsor, contributing $10,000 to the event.   

CWCO Board Member, Ethan Adderley, noted that its focus as a community partner is especially geared toward youth.  

“Across the nation and Caribbean at large, children of various ages have prepared without ceasing to do their very best in this year’s CARIFTA Games. CWCO had no hesitation in our choice to sponsor the grand event, again signaling commitment to our belief that dreams can become a reality.”  

In the lead up to the highly anticipated event, beginning this Friday, March 25th and ending next week Monday, March 27th there will be the CARIFTA Trials and High School National Track and Field Championships. The National High School Track and Field Championships will serve as the 2023 CARIFTA Track and Field Trials and the Test Event for the Local Organizing Committee.  

In recent times, CWCO has also donated to youth-centered programmes such as the Police Dependents’ Trust, Youth Empowerment Program, Mario Ford Baseball Program, Swift Athletics and numerous others.  

Mr. Adderley added, “Track and field is a special aspect of our country’s culture and directly aligns with our community-focused company culture here at CWCO”. 

 

Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO) is joining the country in an eager countdown to the 50th CARIFTA Games slated for early April. The water supplier recently signed on as a bronze sponsor, contributing $10,000 to the event.     CWCO Board Member, Ethan Adderley, noted that its focus as a community partner is especially geared toward youth.     “Across the nation and Caribbean at large, children of various ages have prepared without ceasing to do their very best in this year’s CARIFTA Games. CWCO had no hesitation in our choice to sponsor the grand event, again signaling commitment to our belief that dreams can become a reality.”     In the lead up to the highly anticipated event, beginning this Friday, March 25th and ending next week Monday, March 27th there will be the CARIFTA Trials and High School National Track and Field Championships. The National High School Track and Field Championships will serve as the 2023 CARIFTA Track and Field Trials and the Test Event for the Local Organizing Committee.     In recent times, CWCO has also donated to youth-centered programmes such as the Police Dependents’ Trust, Youth Empowerment Program, Mario Ford Baseball Program, Swift Athletics and numerous others.     Mr. Adderley added, “Track and field is a special aspect of our country’s culture and directly aligns with our community-focused company culture here at CWCO”. 

Exuma is set to get an economic shot in the arm with the development of Cave Cay to the tune of $550 million, under a Heads of Agreement between the Bahamas Government and Cave Cay Limited developers.

The HOA signing ceremony took place at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, March 20, 2023. Present were the Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister; the Hon. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation; Secretary to the Cabinet Nicole Campbell; Phylicia Woods-Hanna, Director of Investments, Office of the Prime Minister; Felipe MacLean, CEO of Cave Cay Ltd., and other officials.

Deputy Prime Minister Cooper said,  “This is a continuation of the renaissance that we are seeing in the Exumas.”

He further observed that it is going be a “deepening and strengthening our already vibrant product”, while providing hundreds of jobs in construction for Bahamians who reside on the Exuma Cays, and elsewhere.

And, according to Prime Minister Davis, the development demonstrates efforts in expanding the tourism product, and the level of confidence the international community has in the local tourism brand.

Cave Cay CEO MacLean envisioned that “Cave Cay will be the best resort in the world,” and that the development is not expected to have an adverse impact on the environment.

Total completion of the project is expected to take eight years. The first phase to be completed within the next two years, with between 250 – 500 employees at full capacity and at least 80 per cent Bahamians employed.

The company has partnered with DISCOVER Collection, a high-end resort company for the management and branding of the destination.  It will be a boutique resort and marina constructed on Cave Cay, an exclusive 220-acre private island in the heart of the Exuma Cays, with deep-water harbour, private marina and private landing strip.

The resort will have an aggregate of 70 bedrooms and will be comprised of a 45-key boutique hotel -- 17 over the water units, 23 ocean view units, and 5 four-bedroom villas. 

There will also be a residential component that includes 214 residences consisting of 38 estate homes, 92 villas, and 84 cottages, among other amenities.

 

Exuma is set to get an economic shot in the arm with the development of Cave Cay to the tune of $550 million, under a Heads of Agreement between the Bahamas Government and Cave Cay Limited developers. The HOA signing ceremony took place at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, March 20, 2023. Present were the Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister; the Hon. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation; Secretary to the Cabinet Nicole Campbell; Phylicia Woods-Hanna, Director of Investments, Office of the Prime Minister; Felipe MacLean, CEO of Cave Cay Ltd., and other officials. Deputy Prime Minister Cooper said,  “This is a continuation of the renaissance that we are seeing in the Exumas.” He further observed that it is going be a “deepening and strengthening our already vibrant product”, while providing hundreds of jobs in construction for Bahamians who reside on the Exuma Cays, and elsewhere. And, according to Prime Minister Davis, the development demonstrates efforts in expanding the tourism product, and the level of confidence the international community has in the local tourism brand. Cave Cay CEO MacLean envisioned that “Cave Cay will be the best resort in the world,” and that the development is not expected to have an adverse impact on the environment. Total completion of the project is expected to take eight years. The first phase to be completed within the next two years, with between 250 – 500 employees at full capacity and at least 80 per cent Bahamians employed. The company has partnered with DISCOVER Collection, a high-end resort company for the management and branding of the destination.  It will be a boutique resort and marina constructed on Cave Cay, an exclusive 220-acre private island in the heart of the Exuma Cays, with deep-water harbour, private marina and private landing strip. The resort will have an aggregate of 70 bedrooms and will be comprised of a 45-key boutique hotel -- 17 over the water units, 23 ocean view units, and 5 four-bedroom villas.  There will also be a residential component that includes 214 residences consisting of 38 estate homes, 92 villas, and 84 cottages, among other amenities.

A new $500m project for Exuma promises to boost that island's tourism and spark significant job growth.

Government officials signed a Heads of Agreement with Cave Cay Limited yesterday, paving the way for its development of a new resort and marina in Cave Cay, Exuma. #Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis called the agreement’s signing historic. #He said: “This is a $500m investment which we enthusiastically embrace. Again it demonstrates the efforts that we’re putting into expanding and diversifying the tourism product.”  #“And it also, again, marks the expression of confidence that the international community is having in our brand and I want to thank the developers for their continued confidence. “We look forward to this project coming on stream and adding again to the inventory of luxury resorts and exciting experience for our tourism.”  # Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, the MP for Exuma, said this was the fifth Heads of Agreement signing for projects in Exuma since the Davis administration came to power, reflecting the “renaissance” of the island. # Mr Cooper said the development would provide more than 250 jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians. # He said the environment would not be affected negatively. #“Of course, you already know that Exuma is the yachting and boating capital of the Bahamas and this marina will certainly add significant charm and value to the already significant offerings that we have,” he said. # “We anticipate that Cave Cay Limited is going to build one of the largest marinas in the country, but I’m delighted to say there’s going to be no dredging as this marina already exists. #“So, this is a restoration, revitalisation of what Cave Cay has been known for over the last decade or more and this new investment of $500m in excess thereof is certainly going to do wonders for the entire area.” # Felipe MacLean, CEO of Cave Cay Limited, said his team would keep the project environmentally sustainable.  #  He said the project would be completed in eight years, with the first phase done over two years and a workforce of 80 percent Bahamians. # Officials did not specify when construction would begin for the project.

Government officials signed a Heads of Agreement with Cave Cay Limited yesterday, paving the way for its development of a new resort and marina in Cave Cay, Exuma.

Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis called the agreement’s signing historic.

He said: “This is a $500m investment which we enthusiastically embrace. Again it demonstrates the efforts that we’re putting into expanding and diversifying the tourism product.” 

“And it also, again, marks the expression of confidence that the international community is having in our brand and I want to thank the developers for their continued confidence.

“We look forward to this project coming on stream and adding again to the inventory of luxury resorts and exciting experience for our tourism.” 

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, the MP for Exuma, said this was the fifth Heads of Agreement signing for projects in Exuma since the Davis administration came to power, reflecting the “renaissance” of the island.

Mr Cooper said the development would provide more than 250 jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians.

He said the environment would not be affected negatively.

“Of course, you already know that Exuma is the yachting and boating capital of the Bahamas and this marina will certainly add significant charm and value to the already significant offerings that we have,” he said.

“We anticipate that Cave Cay Limited is going to build one of the largest marinas in the country, but I’m delighted to say there’s going to be no dredging as this marina already exists.

“So, this is a restoration, revitalisation of what Cave Cay has been known for over the last decade or more and this new investment of $500m in excess thereof is certainly going to do wonders for the entire area.”

Felipe MacLean, CEO of Cave Cay Limited, said his team would keep the project environmentally sustainable. 

He said the project would be completed in eight years, with the first phase done over two years and a workforce of 80 percent Bahamians.

Officials did not specify when construction would begin for the project.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper says that apart from the redevelopment of the Grand Bahama International Airport and the pending sale of the Grand Lucayan, there will be close to $1 billion in investments coming out of the pipeline for Grand Bahama.

Minister Cooper updated attendees at the 24th annual Grand Bahama Business Outlook, held on Monday, March 16, 2023 at the Grand Lucayan.

 “I am convinced that Grand Bahama already has all of the attributes for growth – the infrastructure, the harbor, the industrial sector, the coming airport, the container port, the potential for an air cargo hub, the maritime capabilities and logistics of the island, all create an ecosystem for both business and leisure travel,” said Minister Cooper.

“This administration is deeply committed to Grand Bahama.”

Among the expected billion dollars in investments will be a unique resort. Minister Cooper announced the upcoming Eden Hotels and Resorts project, by a Bahamian registered company, whose principals are based in the United States, with extensive experience in commercial real estate.

“Eden is a $300 million project to develop an eco-resort community and sustainable farm for aquaculture and agriculture production on 93 acres of waterfront in West Grand Bahama,” explained Mr. Cooper.

“Eden is already in the process of purchasing the 93-acre waterfront property in the West End. The principals of the company have been operating a sustainable aquaculture research program with the University of Rhode Island in a public-private partnership called ‘Greenfins.’

“The University of Rhode Island is one of the leading marine research institutions with world renowned aquaculture, marine sciences and oceanography programs.”

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Eden’s three main development priorities are to develop and operate:

· An Eco-Resort with hotel and villas.
· A Sustainable Farm (aquaculture primarily with some agriculture) to serve the resort, domestic markets and export to the USA.
· A Marina to support the aquaculture operations, as well as recreational activities and transient boaters.

“The Eden development will be an eco-resort community and destination that adheres to these ESG principals across all of its operations – from hospitality to food security and production,” added Minister Cooper. “Consumers are demanding smarter, more environmentally responsible options to live, work, visit and play, and the Eden Resort is ideally suited to address this growing market need.

“This resort is expected to break ground in the fourth quarter of this year.”

Minister Cooper said that the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is working on the tourism ecosystem to cause a paradigm shift. He noted that Grand Bahama tourism has often been based on the presence of incentives to sustain business. However, he said any incentive plan enabling a ‘pay to play’ approach is a ‘hostage game’ that is not sustainable, and one which the Bahamas, Grand Bahama in particular, cannot win.

“I am persuaded that the product is sufficiently robust to have a change in mindset, create sustainable tourism and build a healthy Grand Bahama tourism industry,” said Mr. Cooper.

“We will leverage the massive increase in airlift and promote a strategy of stay only. This will enhance our business model for value-creation. This will support the hotel sector, including the success of the Grand Lucayan Resort. We will encourage the creation and promotion of small boutique resorts across the island and encourage Bahamian ownership.

“In this new post-pandemic era, we can ill-afford to do the same thing as we have always done, in particular as it relates to Grand Bahama. More of the same cannot work for Grand Bahama. We have to seek a balanced approach to driving growth whilst we transition to bring the new.

“This will take courage to make the hard decisions necessary and that is what we have”.

Minister Cooper called the Grand Bahama product “strong”, noting that the island is a very special gem in The Bahamas’ crown of 16-island destinations. He said the government is immensely proud of the distinctive tourism product that Grand Bahama offers, noting that the island boasts a singularly unique tourism product — a product whose major selling point is its diversity.

Such diversity, he said, makes Grand Bahama a destination that is ideal for all vacation preferences, and ideal for all demographics — the family, couples and solo travelers.
 “Most importantly, Grand Bahama’s diverse tourism product ensures that it delivers high value for money spent by our visitors,” said Minister Cooper.

“But what I urge you to do is to prepare for what’s coming.

“Seek out the Tourism Development Corporation to foster new businesses and attractions so that you can earn and grow and draw your family that might have looked for work elsewhere back home.

“I continue to be optimistic about the future of Grand Bahama and look forward to many of these projects coming out of the ground and taking shape.”

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper says that apart from the redevelopment of the Grand Bahama International Airport and the pending sale of the Grand Lucayan, there will be close to $1 billion in investments coming out of the pipeline for Grand Bahama. Minister Cooper updated attendees at the 24th annual Grand Bahama Business Outlook, held on Monday, March 16, 2023 at the Grand Lucayan.   “I am convinced that Grand Bahama already has all of the attributes for growth – the infrastructure, the harbor, the industrial sector, the coming airport, the container port, the potential for an air cargo hub, the maritime capabilities and logistics of the island, all create an ecosystem for both business and leisure travel,” said Minister Cooper. “This administration is deeply committed to Grand Bahama.” Among the expected billion dollars in investments will be a unique resort. Minister Cooper announced the upcoming Eden Hotels and Resorts project, by a Bahamian registered company, whose principals are based in the United States, with extensive experience in commercial real estate. “Eden is a $300 million project to develop an eco-resort community and sustainable farm for aquaculture and agriculture production on 93 acres of waterfront in West Grand Bahama,” explained Mr. Cooper. “Eden is already in the process of purchasing the 93-acre waterfront property in the West End. The principals of the company have been operating a sustainable aquaculture research program with the University of Rhode Island in a public-private partnership called ‘Greenfins.’ “The University of Rhode Island is one of the leading marine research institutions with world renowned aquaculture, marine sciences and oceanography programs.” According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Eden’s three main development priorities are to develop and operate: · An Eco-Resort with hotel and villas. · A Sustainable Farm (aquaculture primarily with some agriculture) to serve the resort, domestic markets and export to the USA. · A Marina to support the aquaculture operations, as well as recreational activities and transient boaters. “The Eden development will be an eco-resort community and destination that adheres to these ESG principals across all of its operations – from hospitality to food security and production,” added Minister Cooper. “Consumers are demanding smarter, more environmentally responsible options to live, work, visit and play, and the Eden Resort is ideally suited to address this growing market need. “This resort is expected to break ground in the fourth quarter of this year.” Minister Cooper said that the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is working on the tourism ecosystem to cause a paradigm shift. He noted that Grand Bahama tourism has often been based on the presence of incentives to sustain business. However, he said any incentive plan enabling a ‘pay to play’ approach is a ‘hostage game’ that is not sustainable, and one which the Bahamas, Grand Bahama in particular, cannot win. “I am persuaded that the product is sufficiently robust to have a change in mindset, create sustainable tourism and build a healthy Grand Bahama tourism industry,” said Mr. Cooper. “We will leverage the massive increase in airlift and promote a strategy of stay only. This will enhance our business model for value-creation. This will support the hotel sector, including the success of the Grand Lucayan Resort. We will encourage the creation and promotion of small boutique resorts across the island and encourage Bahamian ownership. “In this new post-pandemic era, we can ill-afford to do the same thing as we have always done, in particular as it relates to Grand Bahama. More of the same cannot work for Grand Bahama. We have to seek a balanced approach to driving growth whilst we transition to bring the new. “This will take courage to make the hard decisions necessary and that is what we have”. Minister Cooper called the Grand Bahama product “strong”, noting that the island is a very special gem in The Bahamas’ crown of 16-island destinations. He said the government is immensely proud of the distinctive tourism product that Grand Bahama offers, noting that the island boasts a singularly unique tourism product — a product whose major selling point is its diversity. Such diversity, he said, makes Grand Bahama a destination that is ideal for all vacation preferences, and ideal for all demographics — the family, couples and solo travelers.   “Most importantly, Grand Bahama’s diverse tourism product ensures that it delivers high value for money spent by our visitors,” said Minister Cooper. “But what I urge you to do is to prepare for what’s coming. “Seek out the Tourism Development Corporation to foster new businesses and attractions so that you can earn and grow and draw your family that might have looked for work elsewhere back home. “I continue to be optimistic about the future of Grand Bahama and look forward to many of these projects coming out of the ground and taking shape.”