News
Over 440 Years of Thanksgiving Day for Canada, today
#Canada, October 14, 2019 — No one is likely to have dined on salt beef, biscuits and mushy peas today in Canada even though the country is holding fast to its tradition of Thanksgiving Day.
CanadasHistory.ca reports that was the composition of the very first thanksgiving meal as English explorer, Martin Frobisher paused to give God thanks for safe travel to then Newfoundland.
It was communion, historians write, and the date in 1578 actually pre-dates the United States of America’s first thanksgiving by some 40 years.
Dates for when Canada’s Thanksgiving Day was held have shifted over the centuries but it was firmly decided, by an act of Parliament, that the second Monday in October would be the holiday and the cause is to thank God.
From CanadaHistory.ca: Parliament officially declares Thanksgiving as “a day of general thanksgiving to almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.”
For the wealth of benevolence Canada brings to the world and the Caribbean region – we wish our neighbours far north – Happy Thanksgiving Day.
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, May 9, 2024 – With over 50 percent of rooms sold, the Arc Providenciales has officially been greenlit for construction.
The Arc is part of the South Bank development set on the south coast of Providenciales which in total has already sold $ 250,000,000 worth of real estate.
The project offers four different neighborhoods, complete with a private lagoon and man-made islands, which are all selling fast, The Arc, Ocean Estates, which are nearly sold out all clocking between $4 and $14 million in sales, Boat Houses with 34 out of 38 sold and Lagoon Villas which start at $2 million up. 
Described as the heart of the South Bank project, The Arc, named after the gently curving design of the building, will be the Turks and Caicos’ most iconic property according to developers.
In a May 2 webinar attended by Magnetic Media, developers revealed that the building will sport a 150-foot-long pool alongside a man-made beach protected by a concrete sea wall but still connected to the open ocean.
The beach is due for completion by November with groundbreaking for the Arc set for the second quarter of this year. The Arc, like many newer TCI properties, will be part residential, part hotel. It’s the last property in the development and the feather in the cap of developer Ingo Reckhon.
Included in the sky villas, which are the most exclusive of the rooms on the Arc, will be indoor-outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, pools, outside gardens, boat slips, and the Turks and Caicos’ first-ever boat concierge service.
It is to be managed by Grace Bay Resorts.
“Both of us are Turks and Caicos companies operating here for over 30 years. We both believe in our people and we hire local employees,” said a representative from Grace Bay Resorts during the meeting. In attendance were dozens of homeowners who have bought into the TCI dream ’live South Bank.’
New construction is a major contributor to stamp duties in the Turks and Caicos and enriches the real estate market in which resale properties are few and far between. The government expects that it will collect over US$50 million in stamp duty taxes from land sale transactions in the 2024/25 financial year.
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)
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY & UTILITIES
May 8th, 2024 – The Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) 2024 concluded last week in Miami, marking another milestone in advancing the region’s energy agenda. This year’s forum, held from April 24-27, at the JW Marquis Hotel in downtown Miami, attracted some of the most distinguished names and advocates in the field of renewable energy.
The delegation from The Turks and Caicos Islands led by Hon. Kyle Knowles of the Ministry of Public Safety and Utilities included Permanent Secretary Mrs. Bridgette Newman, Energy and Utilities Commissioner Mr. Delano R. Arthur, Energy Analyst Dr. Eric F. Salamanca, Senior Legal Drafter Ms. Priscilla Paquette, and Executive Administrator Ms. Jasmine Malcolm.
Hon. Knowles was among the high-caliber panelists in the session called “Caribbean Leadership: Delivering on the Vision” where he highlighted the policy directions of TCI government towards transitioning to renewable energy. Hon. Knowles served as a panelist, discussing the transformative strategies required to integrate renewable technologies across the Inland territory, Turks and Caicos Islands (a UK Overseas Territory Caribbean). His insights on policy enhancements and infrastructural development were met with high interest and acclaim, underscoring his pivotal role in shaping the energy landscape.
Commissioner Delano R. Arthur, a key transformative leader in the energy sector, presented a compelling paper titled “Renewable Energy and Resource Bill for the Turks and Caicos Islands.” His presentation highlighted the legal framework for transition
to renewable energy, interconnection agreement, licensing among others. He also emphasizes the use of mature commercial technology, rather than emerging technologies that have not been proven in commercial scale. He also presented an approach to overcoming logistical and financial challenges in TCI. Com. Arthur’s pragmatic and innovative solutions offered a visionary perspective that resonated with the attendees.
Dr. Salamanca, and Atty. Paquette, also contributed to a roundtable discussion on Regulatory Framework led by the Caribbean Development Banks’ Mr. Joseph Williams and Mr. William Hinds, each bringing unique viewpoints and solutions to the challenges facing the TCI energy sector.
The attendance at year’s CREF also provided opportunity to establish networks. Among the most notable side event meeting was with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) where the TCI delegates discussed various projects in support of transition to green/renewable energy in the Turks and Caicos Island.
Commenting on his first CREF, the Hon Minister noted, “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the
Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) held in Miami, Florida. The Forum provided a valuable platform for discussions on the advancement of renewable energy solutions in the Caribbean region.
During the event, I engaged with key stakeholders, industry experts and government officials to exchange ideas on strategies to promote sustainable energy development. Renewable energy plays a crucial role in enhancing energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering economic growth in our region.
He concluded, “I am committed to working collaboratively with partners both regionally and globally to further renewable energy initiatives and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future. Our participation in events such as CREF our underscores our dedication to advancing clean energy solutions and building a more resilient and sustainable energy landscape for the benefit of our citizens.”
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