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SEA Expresses Shock at 130 Work Permits in Yntegra Rosewood HOA

Wed, Dec 3rd 2025, 10:37 AM
Environment

Heads of Agreement Granting of Foreign Work Permits shows Rosewood Yntegra project is bad for the environment AND bad for the economy

The revelation that the Rosewood Yntegra project in Exuma has been granted government approval for up to 100 foreign work permits for construction and thirty more for management positions shows the development is not just bad for the environment but bad for the economy, according to the Save Exuma Alliance (SEA).

“One of the cornerstones of the Rosewood Exuma project has been the claim that it will benefit the economy – but if jobs are being given to foreign workers rather than Bahamians, it will not even do that,” says SEA, a coalition of local businesspeople, leaders and residents from the community neighbouring the proposed development.

SEA’s response came in reaction to reports in local media this week revealing that the Heads of Agreement for the Sampson Cay development included government agreement in principle to the approval of 100 foreign work permits for skilled construction workers plus 30 foreign work permits for managerial staff.

SEA added: “We really do not get it. We have already seen how this project intends to carry out significant dredging, including the destruction of coral and seagrass meadows, as well as building a massive seawall that will affect the tidal currents. If the Rosewood project is bad for the environment in Exuma, and it is bad for the wallets of workers in Exuma, who stands to gain from it? Our group is made up of locals who see this landscape every day and do not want it harmed – and if local people are going to be cut out of recruitment too, what benefit is this to anyone but foreign developers?”

News articles in the local media also revealed that the Heads of Agreement commits the developer to creating opportunities for Bahamian entertainers and ensure Bahamian artwork is present – but said that nothing prevents the resort from using non-Bahamian talent.

“What is the point of that? A commitment should be a commitment. Why should a resort be given an open pass to bring in foreign talent instead of using the skills of Bahamians who are right here?” asks SEA.

The news comes in the wake of a survey that already showed significant opposition to the Yntegra Rosewood Exuma project. The Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) asked residents of Staniel Cay and Black Point about their concerns. The survey showed that 96% of local residents want the environment protected, and three out of four people (75%) worried about the impact of the 390ft seawall that has been approved for the project.

In addition, 72% of the local community members who took part in the survey are concerned about the dredging the project requires that would be detrimental to the existing seagrass, coral and juvenile conch in the area.

The survey also shows that more people prefer a smaller, low-impact development model over the larger resort design that uses a lot of dredging, and that decisions over Crown land use must include proper consultation and enforceable environmental safeguards.

SEA added: “In addition to the environment, the residents of Exuma have concerns about the long-term impact of this dense development on the culture of our community. Now to see that Yntegra requested so many foreign work permits in the Heads of Agreement, it shows that they are not truly concerned about us – they are planning to bring in foreign workers to build their resort and to manage it.”
 
A petition calling for a halt to environmental clearances for the project has received more than 7,000 signatures. You can add your name to the petition at https://www.change.org/stopsampsoncayproject

Heads of Agreement Granting of Foreign Work Permits shows Rosewood Yntegra project is bad for the environment AND bad for the economy
The revelation that the Rosewood Yntegra project in Exuma has been granted government approval for up to 100 foreign work permits for construction and thirty more for management positions shows the development is not just bad for the environment but bad for the economy, according to the Save Exuma Alliance (SEA).
“One of the cornerstones of the Rosewood Exuma project has been the claim that it will benefit the economy – but if jobs are being given to foreign workers rather than Bahamians, it will not even do that,” says SEA, a coalition of local businesspeople, leaders and residents from the community neighbouring the proposed development.
SEA’s response came in reaction to reports in local media this week revealing that the Heads of Agreement for the Sampson Cay development included government agreement in principle to the approval of 100 foreign work permits for skilled construction workers plus 30 foreign work permits for managerial staff.
SEA added: “We really do not get it. We have already seen how this project intends to carry out significant dredging, including the destruction of coral and seagrass meadows, as well as building a massive seawall that will affect the tidal currents. If the Rosewood project is bad for the environment in Exuma, and it is bad for the wallets of workers in Exuma, who stands to gain from it? Our group is made up of locals who see this landscape every day and do not want it harmed – and if local people are going to be cut out of recruitment too, what benefit is this to anyone but foreign developers?”
News articles in the local media also revealed that the Heads of Agreement commits the developer to creating opportunities for Bahamian entertainers and ensure Bahamian artwork is present – but said that nothing prevents the resort from using non-Bahamian talent.
“What is the point of that? A commitment should be a commitment. Why should a resort be given an open pass to bring in foreign talent instead of using the skills of Bahamians who are right here?” asks SEA.
The news comes in the wake of a survey that already showed significant opposition to the Yntegra Rosewood Exuma project. The Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) asked residents of Staniel Cay and Black Point about their concerns. The survey showed that 96% of local residents want the environment protected, and three out of four people (75%) worried about the impact of the 390ft seawall that has been approved for the project.
In addition, 72% of the local community members who took part in the survey are concerned about the dredging the project requires that would be detrimental to the existing seagrass, coral and juvenile conch in the area.
The survey also shows that more people prefer a smaller, low-impact development model over the larger resort design that uses a lot of dredging, and that decisions over Crown land use must include proper consultation and enforceable environmental safeguards.
SEA added: “In addition to the environment, the residents of Exuma have concerns about the long-term impact of this dense development on the culture of our community. Now to see that Yntegra requested so many foreign work permits in the Heads of Agreement, it shows that they are not truly concerned about us – they are planning to bring in foreign workers to build their resort and to manage it.”
 
A petition calling for a halt to environmental clearances for the project has received more than 7,000 signatures. You can add your name to the petition at https://www.change.org/stopsampsoncayproject
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