Grand Turk with Millions at its disposal for Infrastructure & Urban Upgrades through new CESA

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, July 25, 2022 – Nearly $9 million will be made available for infrastructure upgrades in Grand Turk in the coming weeks.  The Grand Turk Enhancement and Sustainability Agency will be the body in charge of using that cash to beautify Grand Turk via the new Community Enhancement and Sustainability Account (CESA) according to Premier Washington Misick in a press conference on Thursday July 14.

The agency was approved in Parliament in June and Misick has high hopes for its operations.

“The agency will replace the infrastructure improvement account formerly managed by the Government and Carnival.  The proceeds from the account will be used to execute projects and services that will construct, upgrade, preserve and rehabilitate infrastructure and historical sites throughout the area of Grand Turk,” he said

He explained that the $9 million from the old improvement fund would be transferred to CESA as soon as a board of directors has been established.  The members of the board were approved in Cabinet last week and the next step will be appointing managers and other employees to get it operational.

Additionally the cruising capital of the Turks and Caicos has surpassed 300,000 visitors since January.  Missick explained that the milestone is significant because it means aside from the $9 million, money from the cruising industry will now start to be diverted into CESA directly.

“We are at a point now where funds will start to go directly into that account so I imagine pretty soon it will be well in excess of $10 million and we can start to draw down in making those significant investments that we have to make in Grand Turk,” he explained.

Premier Washington Misick said in the House of Assembly several weeks ago that while Grand Turk was naturally beautiful it was missing something.

“What it is lacking is activities and attractions and I think it beholds us to leverage our rich heritage whether it be building sites or culture in a way that monetizes it to the benefit of the economy and the people,” Misick said.

He also acknowledged that Grand Turk needs serious urban upgrades and maintained that CESA would get it done.