By ANDREW COAKLEY

Bahamas Information Services

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey says Grand Bahama is finally on the move, “the environment is shifting, investor confidence continues to grow; buildings are going up and, in some instances, coming down; events are happening; properties are selling, apartments are rented, and homes being purchased, and Grand Bahamians are returning home!”

Minister Moxey was the guest speaker at the 2024 Freeport Business Expo, which was held at Grand Lucayan Resort on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

The event attracted several local small and medium sized businesses with booths to present their products and services.  The event was held in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and other partners.

The Grand Bahama Minister noted that her government is focused on all opportunities for the growth and development of Grand Bahama.  “My ministry continues to partner with the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation to promote Grand Bahama Island to the world for tourism and other developments,” said Minister Moxey. “We are in constant dialogue with the cruise lines, the airlines, the tour operators, and other investors and developers, to ensure that the $2B currently in progress, is expedited.

“Tourism is on the move; Grand Bahama is on the move. It is happening, and we want our people to be prepared for it, so much that the Government of The Bahamas — a collaboration between the Ministry for Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation – has already held two Entrepreneurial Expos for the year. One in West Grand Bahama and the other in Freeport.”

Minister Moxey is convinced that this is the “turn-around” season for the Second City, pointing out that one could feel the change in the air.  As such, she said the atmosphere is conducive for collaboration between innovative thinkers, who recognize the potential of Grand Bahama.

In addition to the previous business expos held across the island, last year, the Ministry for Grand Bahama launched the “Empower Grand Bahama Micro-Business Grant Programme” to encourage new and existing entrepreneurs to create immersive experiences, services, and authentic products, all uniquely Bahamian and attractive to visitors.

During that time 149 micro-grants were awarded to Tour & Experience Providers, Creatives/Artisans, and Authentic Food & Beverage Providers. Relief grants were also extended to Straw and Farmer’s Market Vendors, and to Junkanoo groups to help them rebuild after Hurricane Dorian.  “And my ministry continues to work closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation to promote Grand Bahama as a tourism and investment destination to overseas markets,” said Minister Moxey.

“On the ground, we have cleaned and restored the Bahama Arts & Craft Center and the surrounding property, heritage and cultural sites from east to west through the ‘Beautiful Grand Bahama’ Program, and supported cultural festivals like Pelican Point Coconut Festival, McLean’s Town Conch Cracking, Goombay Summer, and others so that visitors and residents can enjoy events celebrating our Bahamian heritage.”

Minister Moxey revealed the staging of a future expo, called the Grand Expo, set to take place on July 5th, leading up to the country’s Independence.  The Expo will be hosted by the Collab Unit of the Ministry of Grand Bahama, under the theme “Well coming home!” It will feature government agencies, like the Tourism Development Corporation, Bahamas Development Bank, Bahamas Mortgage Corporation, Small Business Development Center, as well as GBPA, DEVCO, Invest Grand Bahama, organizations involved in major developments on the island, real estate companies, land developers, and other organizations to allow individuals to see the vast opportunities.

The initiative is designed to become a catalyst to cause Grand Bahamians to return home. Minister Moxey noted that with a population decline to 47,000 and a capacity to easily service over 250,000 people, it’s time for residents to return home to Grand Bahama.

“There has never been a better time,” she added. “So, this is a clarion call… if it’s been over 20 years, or five years, after Dorian, or even one year… to you the Grand Bahama Diaspora, it’s time to come home!”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Header: Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, who was the guest speaker at the Freeport Business Expo 2024, said that Grand Bahama is on the move and that investor confidence continues to grow.  The Business Expo was held at the Grand Lucayan Resort on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

1st insert: Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey gets the feel of a new model ATV which was on display at the 2024 Freeport Business Expo on Thursday, May  2, 2024 at the Grand Lucayan Resort. President of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Ian Rolle and other GBPA Executives look on.

2nd insert: President of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Ian Rolle explains the concept of a new business recently launched in Freeport, during the 2024 Freeport Business Expo at the Grand Lucayan Resort on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

3rd insert: Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey is fascinated by the concept of one of the new proposed business ventures set to be implemented and opened in Freeport in the near future, during a tour of the businesses presented at the 2024 Freeport Business Expo at the Grand Lucayan Resort on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

4th insert: Glendia Sweeting, Manager of Quality Assurance and Special Projects of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (right) welcomes Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey (left) through the display expo in the ballroom of Grand Lucayan Resort following the official opening of the 2024 Freeport Business Expo on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

(BIS photos by Lisa Davis)