Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon.Ginger Moxey revealed that the renaming of the former Winn DixieBuilding downtown by Milo B. Butler and Sons Investment LimitedCompany to The Winn Building, is one of the grandest demonstrations to-date of investor confidence in Grand Bahama.
The makeover of the 32,000 square-foot building, which formerly housedthe Winn Dixie Food store, is Phase I of a $10 million project spearheadedby the investment group.
Cognizant of the many initiatives that had been attempted over the yearsto pump life back into the downtown area, Minister Moxey, while bringingremarks at the renaming ceremony on Thursday, November 3, 2022, saidbeing able to witness the transformation is the continuation of the journeyof beautiful Grand Bahama and what is to come.
“On this wonderful occasion, I can say with assurance that the long awaitedrevitalization of downtown Freeport is finally here. Ladies and gentlemen,today, we can unanimously breathe a sigh of relief,” she said.
“My heart is filled with joy for the downtown businesses and the businessesoperating in the surrounding areas who have remained hopeful, steeredthe course with determination and fought to keep their doors open inanticipation of what is about to come, despite the tough economicchallenges Grand Bahama has endured over the many years.”
The minister boasted that the renaming of the building, which precedes themuch-awaited opening of AML Solomon’s Downtown in the coming days, isa win for the people of Grand Bahama.
“This building is historic. Not only is it located in Pineridge, but it was oncethe home of a thriving business establishment that became the bedrock ofFreeport’s commerce centre and the core of our community,” she said.When Winn Dixie closed its doors in Grand Bahama more than a decadeago, it not only impacted business community, but also left a void in thecommunity at-large that has been difficult to fill, until now.
Minister Moxey pointed out that Winn Dixie will always be a part of thestory of Grand Bahama, while that a brand new chapter will be written inhistory with the opening of the new food store in the coming days that willusher in a new day filled with a resurgence of employment andentrepreneurial opportunities and bustling economic activity in Downtown,Freeport.
She thanked the chairman and board of Milo B. Butler & Sons InvestmentsCompany Limited, on behalf of the people of Pineridge, Grand Bahama andthe government of The Bahamas, for recognizing the viability of the islandand sticking with the people of Grand Bahama, when others didn’t.
Interim Chairman and Managing Director Milo B. Butler & Sons InvestmentLimited Damian Butler said that as a company they have always had strongties to the community of Grand Bahama and the project.
“Today we are pleased to celebrate this milestone with our partners here inGrand Bahama,” he said, adding that it shows their company’s commitmentto being a part of the resurgence of downtown, Freeport, and to GrandBahama.
He explained that while the timeline was impacted as a result of delays dueto the pandemic and global supply chain issues, they were able to pushthrough and deliver.
Butler also thanked Minister Moxey and her team for supporting theproject and said it is the company’s goal to continue to partner with thegovernment and civic organizations on Grand Bahama and give back as theyinvest.
Next door to the food store is 12,000 square-foot of new office spaces to beoccupied by government agencies such as the Parliamentary RegistrationDepartment, and the Public Service and a training centre, which is expectedto be ready for occupancy within the next six months.
Butler also expressed excitement over Phase II of the downtown project,which involves the renovation of the second building, which will still beknown as the Grand Union Building, comprising of 22,000 square feet, andwill be occupied by the Disaster Reconstruction Authority and will openshortly.
“As we move into the next phase, we are encouraged by the resilience ofthe community and hope that our investment serves as a catalyst for othersto see the potential that exists here in Grand Bahama,” Butler said.
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon.
Ginger Moxey revealed that the renaming of the former Winn Dixie
Building downtown by Milo B. Butler and Sons Investment Limited
Company to The Winn Building, is one of the grandest demonstrations to-
date of investor confidence in Grand Bahama.
The makeover of the 32,000 square-foot building, which formerly housed
the Winn Dixie Food store, is Phase I of a $10 million project spearheaded
by the investment group.
Cognizant of the many initiatives that had been attempted over the years
to pump life back into the downtown area, Minister Moxey, while bringing
remarks at the renaming ceremony on Thursday, November 3, 2022, said
being able to witness the transformation is the continuation of the journey
of beautiful Grand Bahama and what is to come.
“On this wonderful occasion, I can say with assurance that the long awaited
revitalization of downtown Freeport is finally here. Ladies and gentlemen,
today, we can unanimously breathe a sigh of relief,” she said.
“My heart is filled with joy for the downtown businesses and the businesses
operating in the surrounding areas who have remained hopeful, steered
the course with determination and fought to keep their doors open in
anticipation of what is about to come, despite the tough economic
challenges Grand Bahama has endured over the many years.”
The minister boasted that the renaming of the building, which precedes the
much-awaited opening of AML Solomon’s Downtown in the coming days, is
a win for the people of Grand Bahama.
“This building is historic. Not only is it located in Pineridge, but it was once
the home of a thriving business establishment that became the bedrock of
Freeport’s commerce centre and the core of our community,” she said.
When Winn Dixie closed its doors in Grand Bahama more than a decade
ago, it not only impacted business community, but also left a void in the
community at-large that has been difficult to fill, until now.
Minister Moxey pointed out that Winn Dixie will always be a part of the
story of Grand Bahama, while that a brand new chapter will be written in
history with the opening of the new food store in the coming days that will
usher in a new day filled with a resurgence of employment and
entrepreneurial opportunities and bustling economic activity in Downtown,
Freeport.
She thanked the chairman and board of Milo B. Butler & Sons Investments
Company Limited, on behalf of the people of Pineridge, Grand Bahama and
the government of The Bahamas, for recognizing the viability of the island
and sticking with the people of Grand Bahama, when others didn’t.
Interim Chairman and Managing Director Milo B. Butler & Sons Investment
Limited Damian Butler said that as a company they have always had strong
ties to the community of Grand Bahama and the project.
“Today we are pleased to celebrate this milestone with our partners here in
Grand Bahama,” he said, adding that it shows their company’s commitment
to being a part of the resurgence of downtown, Freeport, and to Grand
Bahama.
He explained that while the timeline was impacted as a result of delays due
to the pandemic and global supply chain issues, they were able to push
through and deliver.
Butler also thanked Minister Moxey and her team for supporting the
project and said it is the company’s goal to continue to partner with the
government and civic organizations on Grand Bahama and give back as they
invest.
Next door to the food store is 12,000 square-foot of new office spaces to be
occupied by government agencies such as the Parliamentary Registration
Department, and the Public Service and a training centre, which is expected
to be ready for occupancy within the next six months.
Butler also expressed excitement over Phase II of the downtown project,
which involves the renovation of the second building, which will still be
known as the Grand Union Building, comprising of 22,000 square feet, and
will be occupied by the Disaster Reconstruction Authority and will open
shortly.
“As we move into the next phase, we are encouraged by the resilience of
the community and hope that our investment serves as a catalyst for others
to see the potential that exists here in Grand Bahama,” Butler said.
