Bahamas News

PM’s Remarks at Bahamas Striping’s Venture Capital Fund Launch

Published

9 years ago

August 14, 2017

Deandrea Hamilton

Bahamas, August 14, 2017 – Nassau –

Cabinet Colleagues
Mr. Atario Mitchell, President and Founder, Bahamas Striping Group of Companies;

Allen Albury, Managing Director;
Dominic Stirrup, Director of Business Development;
Invited Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen

Many of you in this audience would recall that it was only a few months back, June, 10^th, to be exact, that I had the opportunity of being with Atario and the principals of his company and the employees of Bahamas Striping as the company celebrated its 7^th Anniversary. It was a wonderful occasion which, together with some of my Parliamentary colleagues, we thoroughly enjoyed.

At that time, you had built your celebrations around the theme of the mustard seed, a theme taken from the Bible which we all know. The mustard seed, though the smallest of seeds has the potential to grow into the mightiest of trees, far exceeding its small beginnings.

I am happy to note that this is indeed the model of growth of Bahamas Striping and to be quite frank, it has far exceeded what it thought would have been its potential.

There are many lessons to be learnt from the exponential growth and development of this company, and I never allow an opportunity to pass without publicly lauding Atario Mitchell for what he has been able to accomplish. This enterprise is a shining example of that dictum that give an individual an inch and he will achieve a mile. It speaks to the fact if given the opportunity, ordinary – – and I stress the word ordinary – Bahamians have the will and determination to succeed at anything.

I have read Atario’s own testimony and it is worth quoting in full because through his own words, he says it so well:

“As a young person, I did not come from a rich family, I had no political connection, I didn’t graduate at the top of my class but today in a progressive Bahamas, I have through hard work success is possible.”

Let me remind this audience and to those who will perhaps read and listen to what I have to say that this reality that we have today in Bahamas Striping was created under another Free National Government. It was in 2010 that this enterprise was started through a grant from the Self-Starter Program launched by a previous FNM Government. I am pleased that the Free National Movement has had a longstanding commitment to youth and business development.

I go on record by stating that youth entrepreneurial empowerment will be a major focus of my administration as we see this as a means of tackling some of our long entrenched problems in our urban areas such as unemployment, crime and social anomie.

Today, I have come to endorse the efforts of Bahamas Striping in going far beyond its remit in launching what is really a private venture capital fund. It is my understanding that the company has taken $1m of its funds and will use it to establish funding opportunities to young adults who can come forward with bankable proposals that would allow them the opportunity to get a leg up in the world of business. This is genuine and this is new and it should be applauded.

I need not tell you that there are countless examples of young individuals who have ideas to start a business enterprise but who have nowhere to turn to find the first red penny to advance their proposals. They are unable to obtain funding through the established commercial banks and quite naturally they would not have the connections or the knowledge to obtain private financing. And so what happens, the dream is deferred, and the dream dies. Needless to say, this leads to personal frustration and social explosion. And so I applaud this new initiative by Bahamas Striping as it has the potential to open the doors for many.

One of today’s realities is that the private sector must expand. It must be that sector of our economy that must be bold and imaginative. We know that the public sector is already overburdened when it comes to creating new employment and so any opportunity that the private sector has to expand and create new employment should be welcomed.

Another point that is really very important, that I wish to highlight, is this — and the story of the development of Bahamas Striping bears this out. Our economy needs small and medium enterprises to grow and become successful. More often than not, these are the companies that employ those who are marginalized and who may not fit into the conventional mainstream of employable skills. But the market place must find room for such young men and women, and often the best way to do this is allowing such persons to do their own thing.

Finally, if I were to make an observation for the benefit of those who will be approving and monitoring these small grants and loans, and it is this. Be on the lookout for those who bring creativity and enthusiasm to their proposals.

Today, it is so commonplace to see everyone doing the same thing. While healthy competition is good, one must be careful not to dismiss out of hand, that proposal that might go against the grain. Our economy needs all types to grow and to flourish and we must be on the lookout for these types of individuals.

That having been said, we know of the ever growing demand for those who would wish to do landscaping and gardening services, courier/delivery services, trucking and haulage, grooming and beauty business, food and drinks vending services and so on. Not everyone has to become a mechanic or a contractor or the likes. Find that for which there is a demand and then create a service.

I would repeat that which I said earlier. My Government is committed to helping the small man. We believe that he has a stake in the economic growth of The Bahamas and we will put our resources to work for you.

On my last visit with you, I mentioned the culture of training with which Bahamas stripping is imbued. The training and empowerment of young men is a cornerstone of your corporate culture. You are not only a center of excellence. You are also a center of hope. You are an example for other young entrepreneurs.

But the Government is also doing its part when it comes to training. Just across the street from the headquarters of Bahamas Striping is the BTVI. Then there is the National Training Agency which only recently enrolled its 8^th cohort of students and which is preparing young people for the world of work and enterprise. And of course, at the highest level, there is the University of The Bahamas. My point is that an array of training is available in many forms and I encourage our young people to take advantage of such training.

I congratulate Bahamas Striping for that which it is launching today. This will have a profound impact on the lives of many young people by giving them that much needed jump-start to their lives.

I thank Bahamas Striping for what they will do. I wish to assure you of my fullest support on a personal level, and of course, you know that you can depend on the co-operation of my Government.

Congratulations and thank you!

Bahamas News

Bahamian Man Extradited to Florida on Cocaine Trafficking Charges

Published

2 days ago

April 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

USA, April 23, 2026 – A Bahamian man has been extradited to the United States to face serious drug charges stemming from alleged offences committed several years ago.

Lernis Cornish Jr. was handed over to U.S. authorities on April 17, 2026, following extradition proceedings in The Bahamas. The case was heard before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley, who ordered that Cornish be surrendered to American officials. Cornish did not challenge the order.

He has since been transferred to Florida, where he is expected to face trial in connection with alleged drug-related activity dating back23 to 2020.

According to reports, Cornish is accused of possession of cocaine with intent to supply and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to supply. Related U.S. law enforcement notices also indicate that the matter is being pursued in Collier County, Florida, where authorities have listed charges including trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to traffic cocaine, involving quantities of 400 grams or more.

The case now falls under the jurisdiction of the Florida court system, where prosecutors are expected to advance the matter through pre-trial proceedings ahead of any potential trial.

Extradition from The Bahamas to the United States is governed by bilateral treaty arrangements, allowing individuals accused of serious offences to be transferred to face justice in the requesting country once a Bahamian court is satisfied that legal requirements have been met.

Cornish’s extradition marks the continuation of a multi-year case, moving it from preliminary proceedings in The Bahamas into the U.S. judicial system, where the allegations will now be tested in court.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Bahamas News

New Manifestos Released as Bahamas Heads to Historic May 12 Vote

Published

2 weeks ago

April 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

The Bahamas, April 14, 2026 – With the 2026 Bahamian general election set for May 12, the country’s major political parties have now formally placed their plans before the electorate, offering competing visions for governance, growth and relief.

The governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), led by Philip Davis, launched its “Blueprint for Progress 2026” on April 8, 2026, outlining a 46-page plan focused on long-term development and systems reform. The document places heavy emphasis on energy transition, digital government, workforce training and food security, positioning the party as one seeking continuity following its first term. The full plan is publicly available online through official PLP platforms for voters to review.

Just days later, on Sunday, April 12, the opposition Free National Movement (FNM), under Michael Pintard, unveiled its 2026 Manifesto at a major event in Nassau. Spanning 54 pages, the document centers on cost-of-living relief, tax reform, healthcare expansion and housing, offering what the party describes as a more immediate response to economic pressures facing Bahamian families. The FNM has also made its manifesto accessible online.

Beyond the two major parties, the Coalition of Independents (COI) had already entered the policy space earlier, formally unveiling its long-range Vision 2030 framework on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Fusion Superplex in Nassau during a packed national launch led by party leader Lincoln Bain. That framework has since been complemented by a 100-day action plan released in late March/early April 2026, adding a short-term policy layer to its long-range proposals.

These policy rollouts come as the country prepares for a pivotal vote, with the Parliamentary Registration Department confirming a voters’ register of approximately 203,000 eligible voters, one of the largest in the nation’s history. Key dates are now set, with Nomination Day on April 16, followed by advance polls on April 30, ahead of General Election Day on May 12.

With platforms now in the public domain and the timeline locked in, the focus shifts squarely to the electorate—who must now weigh the promises, examine the plans and decide the country’s direction at the polls.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Bahamas News

From Concept to Approval: What a 2019 Water Security Plan Now Means for Bahamians

Published

2 weeks ago

April 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

The Bahamas, April 14, 2026 – At its core, the $65 million water security project is designed to strengthen the reliability, safety and resilience of the water supply across The Bahamas.

If implemented as planned, the investment is expected to improve water quality, reduce contamination risks and support public health, while increasing supply reliability and limiting service disruptions during droughts or system failures. The project also aims to expand and upgrade infrastructure, including wellfields, pumping stations and storage capacity, and to protect freshwater resources from saltwater intrusion—an increasing threat for low-lying islands. In practical terms, that could mean cleaner, more consistent and more dependable access to water for residents across the country.

The project was first conceptualised in 2019 under the previous administration, when a proposal was submitted to the Green Climate Fund to strengthen the resilience of the country’s water systems. That early work came just months before Hurricane Dorian exposed the vulnerability of national infrastructure, including critical water and sanitation systems, particularly in the northern Bahamas.

The initial phase focused on developing the concept, identifying priority areas and engaging regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Development Bank, to support the design and preparation of a full funding proposal.

Following the change in government in 2021, the project advanced into its most technical and demanding stages. The current administration oversaw the completion of key requirements, including feasibility studies, environmental and social assessments, and detailed financing negotiations with international partners—steps necessary to move the proposal from concept to approval.

That multi-year process has now culminated in approval of a $65 million financing package, combining grant funding with concessional loans to support long-term upgrades to the country’s water infrastructure.

While the project brings significant international support, it is not entirely free money. The package is structured as a blended financing arrangement, combining grant funding with concessional loans—meaning a portion of the funding will ultimately need to be repaid. Based on information released by the Caribbean Development Bank, approximately $25 million of the total package is tied to loan financing, with the remaining portion provided as grant support.

Concessional loans typically carry more favourable terms than commercial borrowing, including lower interest rates and longer repayment periods. However, they still represent debt obligations that will be borne over time.

Notably, detailed terms of the loan components—including interest rates, repayment schedules and any associated conditions—were not disclosed in the initial announcement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister (Bahamas). Those details are expected to be outlined in formal financing agreements, but have not yet been made public.

For Bahamians, the project represents both investment and obligation. While the grant funding provides a significant boost to infrastructure development, the loan component adds to the country’s long-term financial commitments—making transparency around terms and implementation timelines especially important.

While the approval marks a significant milestone, the timeline for delivery remains a critical factor. Based on information available from project partners, implementation is not expected to begin immediately. The initiative is anticipated to move into its execution phase later in 2026, following finalisation of financing agreements and completion of preparatory requirements.

From there, the project is projected to unfold over several years, with estimates suggesting a multi-year implementation period of up to seven years to fully deliver the planned upgrades to water infrastructure across The Bahamas.

This means that while the funding has now been approved, the benefits will be realised gradually rather than all at once. A definitive completion date has not been publicly outlined, and detailed timelines tied to specific islands or phases of work have yet to be disclosed.

For Bahamians, the question now shifts from approval to execution—when funds are drawn down, when construction begins, and how consistently the project moves from plan to delivery.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.