BRINGING NEW MEANING TO “WRITING ON THE WALL” – BTC CEO Geoff Houston (left) and The Hon. Neko Grant, Minister of Public Works and Transport (right) look on as graphic artist Lamaro Smith signs the 27’x8’ mural he designed inside the newly renovated BTC Pioneers Way retail experience. Smith is one of hundreds of Grand Bahamians who benefitted from the wealth of work opportunities created as a result of the $200,000 renovation and re-opening of the 2,000 square feet retail store.

BTC Grand Bahama Store Opening Unlocks New Job Opportunities

Considered one of the single most significant transformations in Grand Bahama in the last six months, the new BTC Pioneers Way retail experience unveiled officially on Friday, February 11 opened its doors with a new look, new products and new opportunities. The event launch was well-attended by key individuals including executive members of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and The Hon. Neko Grant, Minister of Public Works and Transport and MP for Lucaya.

“We are grateful that this project by BTC to demolish and rebuild has resulted in the creation of various job opportunities on Grand Bahama,” said Grant. “I am told that during the life of the project to re-create this area now occupied by the store, approximately one hundred Grand Bahamians in the construction industry were employed to complete necessary works. As Minister of Public Works, I have been impressed by the reports regarding the efficiency of the work schedule of this project to renovate this 2,000 square foot space.”

Beyond employment for construction, the renovation project provided an opportunity for a local artist and graphics company to produce a life-size mural, a significant design element featured in the store. Lamaro Smith and FDK Laminators & Graphic Design were commissioned to produce the 216-square foot mural of fishermen, entitled Bonefishing in the West. Additional persons were hired to serve as event hosts, hostesses, caterers, performers, security and customer service representatives during the grand opening weekend.

BTC’s new retail strategies will result in the creation of more small business opportunities by allowing qualified entrepreneurs to operate outlets that sell their products. “As you know BTC has said that as it moves around the archipelago updating outdated stores and upgrading the network, it will make many of those stores and many smaller retail outlets available to qualified entrepreneurs,” said Geoff Houston, CEO of BTC. The company has announced that it will open as many as 50 stores throughout The Bahamas, most of them to be owned and operated by local entrepreneurs.