Bahamas News
Grand Bahama Port Authority’s RISE initiative more success, more grants for Local Businesses
#Freeport, Bahamas – February 19, 2020 —Team RISE has approved another 14 companies for small business restoration grants as Cohort II of the programme recently completed its final Selection Committee process. RISE, which stands for Restoring Industries and Sustaining Employment, is a partnership between The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), and Mercy Corps International (MC), a global humanitarian aid organization, along with key funding partners Bacardi Global and the American Red Cross.
The economic recovery initiative launched in December last year and has already awarded nearly $160,000 in funding to local businesses. GBPA Director, Henry St. George said, “We are encouraged by the quality of applications coming in for RISE and the diligence of the applicants. Our analysis of the incoming application data has reiterated a really pressing need for funding to micro and small business owners, post-Dorian, and we are pleased to be able to provide a comprehensive support mechanism for those businesses. We have now revised our goal remains to provide grants to at least 200 micro and small businesses.
RISE Grants provide up to $10,000 in business recovery funding for eligible businesses. Cohort III is now in process and accepting applications; and the deadline for Cohort IV is close of business on Monday, 9th March. Subsequently, Partners of RISE are encouraging all businesses that fit the selection criteria across Grand Bahama, to apply at www.risegbpa.com.
“Grand Bahama’s small business sector has endured enormous challenges since the storm,” St. George explained. “We designed RISE to support micro and small business owners with the reestablishment of their operations, to drive economic recovery, and to build resilience and sustainability against future catastrophic events through training. The goal is to rebuild a small business sector that is stronger and more robust in the face of the climate challenges that have become our new normal,” he added.
The RISE grants continue to gain momentum, with more businesses applying in Cohort II and even more anticipated for the upcoming Cohort. Additionally, GBPA/MC Team will host new information sessions in East Grand Bahama, to assist business owners with their applications; details on date and venue for the meeting will be announced at a later date
MC Country Director, Pete Sweetnam, stated, “Teaching businesses how to build a strong narrative with supporting documents, and guiding them on how to validate their need for the award is critical to the overall success of their application. Mercy Corps and GBPA want to see even more businesses apply for the grants and, even more receive funding. Through RISE, they will receive essential business training and have the opportunity to participate in the MicroMentor programme for 1-year free of charge. We all believe that this will add tremendous value and further enhance their operation,” he concluded.
Although retail and services sectors had the largest category of applicants, actual grant recipients represented a healthy cross-section of the local economy, including Maritime, Trade Services, Food & Beverage, and Technical trades; and, all recipients were extremely grateful to receive grants.
Stephanie Ferguson, President of Phoenix Brokerage & Shipping, expressed, “We would like to thank Mercy Corps and The Grand Bahama Port Authority for granting us the Rise Grant. This Grant is a Godsend and will assist Phoenix Brokerage with not only rebuilding but to grow our business bigger than it was prior to Dorian.”
Another recipient of RISE, Capt., Patrick Cartwright, owner of Triple-A Boatcare & Maintenance, said, “I would like to thank the R.I.S.E & GBPA project team for an expeditious process. The RISE Grant has not only opened many doors for me, but it has given me the hope needed to go on.”
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
