Connect with us

Bahamas News

Minister Moxey: ‘Outlook for Grand Bahama is grand’

Published

on

By ANDREW COAKLEY

Bahamas Information Services

 

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey says Grand Bahama is on a transformational, revolutionary journey — one that allows it to reach that elusive potential talked about for decades.

“But today, as a Grand Bahamian, born and bred here, I believe, with every fiber of my being, that ‘it’s here and it’s now’!  I believe that the outlook for Grand Bahama is grand.”

Minister Moxey was the keynote speaker at this year’s Grand Bahama Business Outlook, held at Grand Lucayan resort on Thursday, February 13, 2025, under the theme, ‘Prioritizing Inclusive, Sustainable Growth.’

In her address, Minister Moxey noted that over the past three years, the government has seen the culmination of strategic investments positioning Grand Bahama as a hub of innovation, resilience, and opportunity.

In the midst of this positive economic activity, she added that the government continues to “connect the dots” by implementing initiatives focused on Grand Bahama’s recovery.  This aligns with the impact of the nearly $3 billion in investments happening on the island with the government’s initiatives and plans to progress residents and the island forward.

“For this reason, the Davis/Cooper Administration took ‘the bull by the horns’ and tackled some of the critical longstanding issues that have contributed to our economy’s stagnation,” said Minister Moxey.  “By doing so, the government is working diligently to remove obstacles that have hindered the island’s economic growth and recovery and the ability to improve the quality of life of residents.

“To prioritize inclusive, sustainable growth, the government and stakeholders must collaborate to stimulate our tourism, education, construction, and the industrial sectors.  This action will ensure that not only a small percentage of Bahamians benefit from Grand Bahama’s revitalization, but that all fully prepared individuals can also embrace the opportunities.”

Turning her attention to some of the specific upcoming projects coming to Grand Bahama, the Grand Bahama Minister pointed to the proposed Afro-Caribbean Marketplace and Logistics Center.  That project came about during discussions at the historic 31st Afreximbank AGM held in Nassau last June, when the government signed a $1.8M Project Preparation Facility with Afreximbank for the establishment of an Afro-Caribbean Marketplace and Logistics Center – a significant undertaking, in the City of Freeport, by the Davis-Cooper Administration.

Minister Moxey explained that the acquisition of the International Bazaar and the Royal Oasis Tower and Casino properties, as well as the reopening of the West Sunrise Highway will be central to this development and is currently in progress.  She assured that purchase agreements have been made with both the Bazaar owners and Harcourt Development, and the government is ready to proceed.

However, she added that the Grand Bahama Port Authority has indicated that there are long outstanding receivables of the previous owners that must be settled, which has caused a slight delay.

“This acquisition has been budgeted for, in the 2024/25 Budget of the government, and we are hopeful that we can move ahead, as quickly as possible, for this game-changing development for our island.

“The magnitude of this project is far-reaching, and its impact on Grand Bahama will be visible in multiple ways. Firstly, it will resolve longstanding issues that have festered for far too long—the closure of West Sunrise Highway, which will be reopened, the defunct Princess Tower and Casino, and the International Bazaar properties, which the government will purchase.”

Addressing “the elephant in the room”, Minister Moxey said she’s aware of the concern of many Grand Bahamians about one or two major issues on the island, including the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort.  She said she’s satisfied that steady progress is being made, and asked Grand Bahamians to appreciate that such negotiations can sometimes be sensitive.  As such, she did not go into any details surrounding the sale of the resort.

Repeating a remark made by Prime Minister Philip Davis about the hotel during an event at the resort over a week ago, Minister Moxey said that the important thing with negotiating a sale for the Grand Lucayan is to “get it right”.

“I can say that our desire is for a developer committed to embracing the culture of Grand Bahama, while creating a world class brand that enhances the tourism product of this island,” said Minister Moxey.  “We were careful to seek out someone who has the vision, the heart and the ability to create something spectacular for us all.”

The Minister gave a charge and threw out a challenge to all Grand Bahamians – “to find something positive to say!

“When you are about to say something that you know is negative, replace that with something positive about our island instead.  I’m sure we can do that, because there is so much positive to talk about. We are all in this together!”

Photo Caption: GB OUTLOOK IS GRAND – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey opened the 2025 Grand Bahama Business Outlook on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Grand Lucayan resort.  Minister Moxey said that the outlook for Grand Bahama is “grand”.

(BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)

Bahamas News

Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

Published

on

Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

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.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

Published

on

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!

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

Published

on

Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

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.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING