#Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas – February 19, 2020 — Micro and small businesses impacted by Hurricane Dorian received positive news on Friday, January 31st that additional support is available to assist them with post-storm recovery efforts. Executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), Mercy Corps International (MC), and the American Red Cross (ARC) welcomed executives of Bacardi Limited as an official supporting partner of the Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts.
The group visited Grand Bahama for a ceremonial signing and press conference, announcing the nearly $1M in support for economic recovery. The initiative is open to all small businesses affected by Hurricane Dorian, and Bacardi funding will specifically target businesses within the hospitality and tourism sectors.
“Bacardi has pledged to put close to $1M behind the relief and reconstruction plans in Grand Bahama through our partnership with Mercy Corps and the Grand Bahama Port Authority. We aim to directly support more than 40 businesses, helping them to rebuild and stand on their own two feet, and to support hundreds more with access to training,”
Mahesh Madhavan, CEO for Bacardi Limited expressed. “I’m very honored and privileged to be here speaking on behalf of Bacardi and to show our support for the people of Grand Bahama.”
The iconic global organization joins implementing partners, GBPA and Mercy Corps, on the RISE Grant Initiative which launched in early December 2019. RISE has already awarded approximately $160k in recovery grant funding to-date, and recipients will also receive a training programme and access to Mercy Corps’ pioneering mentorship platform, MicroMentor.
Thanks to the contribution from Bacardi and others, the initiative can now support 200 business owners, doubling the original target.
“We welcome Bacardi as a new partner of the RISE programme with a specific focus on supporting businesses in the hospitality and food and beverage sectors. Their assistance will buttress an industry vertical in which we foresee significant new foreign direct investment over the coming months, and one in which we forecast sustained growth in the medium term,” cited GBPA Director, Henry St. George.
“We are all so very grateful to have Bacardi on board; their generosity will make a really meaningful impact on the revitalization of Grand Bahama’s economy.”
The partners spent time discussing the needs of the small business sector with a group of successful grant applicants including Stephanie Ferguson, president, and Buffie Dorset, partner at Phoenix Brokerage & Shipping; Sherica Smith Pinder, co-owner of Shabo’s Conch Salad; Charles Wayne Hall, owner of Local Organics and Capt. Patrick Cartwright owner– Triple-A Boatcare & Maintenance. Mr. Madhavan shared the story of family-owned Bacardi and offered encouragement and hope to the group of entrepreneurs.
The initiative provides grants of up to $10,000 in business recovery funding for eligible businesses. Cohort III is now in process and accepting applications; the deadline to submit for this round is noon on Friday, 7th February. Partners encourage businesses across Grand Bahama that fit the selection criteria, to apply at www.risegbpa.com.
“We’re excited to be teaming up with such talented partners to support the recovery of communities and small business owners in Grand Bahama,” explained Michael Bowers, Vice President Humanitarian Leadership for Mercy Corps.
“Working together, we believe we can connect small business owners to the tools and resources they need to rebuild and grow,” he concluded.
Magnetic Media is a Telly Award winning multi-media company specializing in creating compelling and socially uplifting TV and Radio broadcast programming as a means for advertising and public relations exposure for its clients.
Defence Headquarters, 17 MAR. ’24: A joint operation between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) led to the apprehension of 50 Haitian migrants approximately 5 nautical miles west of Bell Island on Saturday, March 16th.
The operation was initiated following the initial sighting of a sailing vessel, believed to be of Haitian origin, 8 miles southwest of Staniel Cay in the Exumas. RBDF swiftly deployed air and surface assets stationed at Matthew Town Inagua, supported by Police officials in Staniel Cay who verified the sighting. The migrants were intercepted by RBDF personnel stationed at the Land and Sea Park, Wardrick Wells Exuma, and subsequently handed over to the safe boat crew. They are currently under apprehension pending further investigation, with the imminent arrival of HMBS Rolly Gray.
In response to the ongoing instability in Haiti, Commodore Raymond King has announced the implementation of a strategic blockade in the southern Bahamas. This initiative includes the deployment of six surface vessels, one aircraft, and 120 highly skilled RBDF personnel. Patrol operations will be concentrated in critical areas such as the northern coast of Haiti, the Old Bahama Channel, and the Windward Passage, with the aim of deterring unauthorized entry attempts and preserving maritime security in the region.
The effectiveness of these decisive measures is evident, with recent apprehensions totaling 247 individuals by the RBDF. Commodore Raymond E. King emphasizes the commitment to bolstering maritime security through collaborative efforts with regional partners and local law enforcement agencies.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s borders and territorial integrity, working collaboratively with regional partners.
(For further information please contact the RBDF Public Relations Department or visit our website: www.rbdf.gov.bs, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and view our Youtube channel)
Nassau, Bahamas, February 28, 2024 – Enthusiastic girl guides, ranger guides, and girls representing schools across The Bahamas recently gathered at the first ever Delaney Leadership Seminar.
The seminar, named in honor of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s (now CIBC Caribbean) first female chief executive officer, Ms. Colette Delaney, empowered the next generation of female leaders through focused sessions on leadership development, cultivating a leadership mindset, and the importance of building strong, supportive friendships.
The event featured a series of team building exercises, interactive discussions, and a keynote address by Dr. Jacqui Bend, CIBC Caribbean’s Managing Director. Dr. Bend shared insights on the essence of leadership, guiding principles, and emphasized the role of young women in shaping a vibrant future for The Bahamas and beyond.
“It was a privilege to witness the incredible energy and budding potential of the young leaders that participated. Leadership is not just about guiding others; it’s about inspiring action and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. The Delaney Leadership Seminar is a testament to CIBC Caribbean’s commitment to nurturing young, bright minds and equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to lead with purpose and passion,” said Dr. Bend.
Held under the theme, Our World, Our Bahamas, Our Thriving Future, the seminar underscored the importance of lifelong learning, perseverance, empathy, and collaboration in leadership, among other guiding principles. Dr. Bend highlighted the strides already being made by the participants and encouraged them to continue exploring their potential and envisioning their roles in creating positive change within their communities and the wider world.
Delina Rolle, a tenth-grade participant and aspiring lawyer from Preston H. Albury High School in Eleuthera, shared, “This seminar has been a life-changing experience for me. Hearing Dr. Bend’s success story and her tips were inspiring for me as a young girl trying to be a leader. I am happy I was selected by my school’s administration to attend and connect with so many amazing girls who share my dreams of making a difference.”
The Delaney Leadership Seminar has set a new benchmark for youth leadership programs in The Bahamas. The event concluded with a commitment from both CIBC Caribbean and the Bahamas Girl Guides Association (BGGA) to continue their support for youth leadership initiatives.
In 2022, CIBC FirstCaribbean donated to the BGGA to assist in completing the interior of its $1.5 million, West Bay Street headquarters, which will feature meeting rooms, office spaces, training areas, accommodations for girl guides visiting from other countries and other essential working areas.
It was at that time that Dr. Bend affirmed the bank’s commitment to support organizations that mirror the bank’s promise to assist women and girls in the communities it serves. Prior to that, the bank donated several native trees to BGGA, which were planted at its campsite, Camp Discovery, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Housing’s Forestry Unit.
Nassau, Bahamas, March 6th, 2024 – IN A STRATEGIC MOVE to boost the genetic quality of livestock available in the country, the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) recently collaborated with the Department of Agriculture to acquire purebred small ruminants (sheep and goats). The initiative is part of BAMSI’s broader breeding programme to inject quality genetics into the local livestock population. Shedding light on the project’s objectives and timeline, Dr Mark Butler, the Institute’s Veterinarian, said the animals promise a more sustainable and prosperous future for the local farming community.
The newly acquired stock of animals, Dorper and Barbados Black Belly sheep and Boer and Savanna goats, are integral to the upcoming artificial insemination programme which BAMSI is set to commence later this year.
“The new animals will be used in one arm of our breeding programme, facilitating natural mating to ensure genetic diversity and quality,” Dr Butler explained. “The goal is to increase the herd and improve genetic traits, and we anticipate over 85 per cent success in terms of animals giving birth—a crucial marker for the programme’s success.”
Currently, 30 sheep and 30 goats are part of the breeding programme, with the expectation of 50 to 60 live births by the end of the year. The focus is not only on increasing the herd size but also on ensuring the genetic quality of the offspring.
“We want offspring that exhibit high genetic quality. Purebred Dorper sheep and Boer goats show better growth rates and are ideal for farmers looking for efficient weight gain at market age,” Dr Butler emphasized.
Ayrett Lightbourne, BAMSI’s Farm Manager, addressed why BAMSI chose these specific breeds, and their potential impact on the local livestock industry. “The Dorper Sheep, for example, gains weight faster than native breeds, offering a different market for lean meat consumers. Similarly, the Boer and Savanna goats, being larger and more meat-producing, contribute significantly to improving meat quality in the country.”
The imported purebred animals will create a nucleus herd at BAMSI’s farm in Andros to upgrade the existing livestock population. Their offspring will breed with the native flock, and some of the offspring will be distributed to local farmers. This collaborative effort between BAMSI and the Ministry of Agriculture aims to enhance the genetic potential of the native flocks, ultimately benefiting farmers and consumers alike.
The BAMSI herd, comprising 190 animals, is expected to grow as the breeding programme progresses. The next phase involves artificial insemination, marking a crucial step towards achieving BAMSI’s goal of increasing the quantity and improving the genetic quality of Bahamian livestock. The institute’s dedication to scientific advancements in agriculture promises a more sustainable and prosperous future for the local farming community.