Grand Bahama recorded a decrease in its unemployment rate from 12.4 per cent to 12.1 between the period of May 2017 to November 2017, indicating some progress as the Government of The Bahamas “continues to work towards the complete restoration of the island.”

Administration officials say they were also “pleased to see” the type of business expansion that has also taken place in Grand Bahama -- especially on the domestic front.

Addressing the House of Assembly (Tuesday, March 20), Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis said there was a “significant increase in employed individuals in Grand Bahama.”

The number of employed persons as of May 2017, was 26,160. That number increased to 27,240 as of November 2017.

“We will continue to work toward the complete restoration of the island.

We still need more job growth, but it does suggest that 1,080 more people are working, which means the numbers are moving in the right direction,” the Prime Minister added.

Prime Minister Minnis said Administration officials have undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at revitalizing Grand Bahama. Some of those initiatives are expected to begin paying dividends as soon as next month.

Among them was the negotiation with Bahamas Paradise for the return of the Grand Celebration and the introduction of a new vessel, the Grand Classica, which will bring additional stopover visitors and “even more opportunities” to Grand Bahama beginning next month (April.)

“We also negotiated an airlift agreement with Sunwing and now have the return of Vacation Express. It has been announced that a total of eight, non-stop flights departing from various U.S. Cities will begin their flight scheduled in May, 2018.”

Flights from Detroit, Chicago, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Newark, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Dallas, will be operated by Swift Air, LLC.

“The Ministry of Tourism projects yielding a potential 16,800 passengers,” the Prime Minister added.

Prime Minister Minnis said the government is “especially energized” about ventures in East and West Grand Bahama including the former Ginn Project that was acquired by Grand Palm Beach Acquisitions Limited.

Grand Palm Beach Acquisitions proposes to construct, repair, revitalize, develop and operate 246 rooms in three hotels; a banquet facility; 116 branded hotel residences; 1,000 other residences; a hotel/casino site, approximately 150,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, a spa and wellness retreat, two marinas and an 18-hole golf course.

A number of smaller developments in tourism, light manufacturing, financial services, entertainment and a $20 million expansion of PharmaChem, a major industrial company, are “well on their way for Grand Bahama.”

“We are also pleased to see Bahamian business expansion in Grand Bahama, particularly the Pirates Cove Zipline, along with other businesses expanding and hiring staff.

“My Government committed to Grand Bahama and to The Bahamas, to do all within our power to bring economic development and growth to Grand Bahama as a matter of urgency. If we truly want The Bahamas to succeed, Grand Bahama must succeed,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

Prime Minister Minnis in the House of Assembly on Tuesday. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

 

By: Matt Maura