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Graceway Communities delivers vibrant new Playground to Ianthe Pratt Primary School, students thrilled

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Deandrea Hamilton

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Turks and Caicos, March 22, 2025 – A $100,000 investment into a re-imagined playground was delivered on St Patrick’s Day to the hundreds of students of the Ianthe Pratt Primary School (IPPS), in the Bight by Graceway Communities, the philanthropic arm of Graceway Supermarkets.

If there was any indication of the joy which the completion of the refurbishment brought to the children and faculty of the school, it had to be the moment a golden ribbon was cut; youngsters could be heard screaming gleefully.  The ribbon cutting also opened the playground to playtime for the smartly dressed students.

They were overjoyed.

“It is a vital part of our students’ development; fostering physical activity, social interaction and essential life skills such as teamwork and communication,” explained Edith Cox, Group Chief Finance Director and the Human Resources Director, of the grocery store conglomerate, who added, “This morning, I am representing Graceway Communities and I am proud of the work that we have done and continue to do in our communities.  This is our first delivered project for 2025, coming at a cost of around $100,000, I am delighted that this school, which is basically in our backyard is the beneficiary.”

This was the third playground project by Graceway Communities shared Cox, who said more of these vital spaces are on the way.

“Education and sports are two important pillars of Graceway Communities, and we will continue to support our children across the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

A blue token scheme launched in 2019 by Graceway Supermarkets drove this renovation idea.

Tokens earned with the use of reusable shopping bags are used as voting cards for worthwhile causes.  Ianthe Pratt Primary School won, receiving the most tokens and therefore the most votes, pointing Graceway to what community project should be next.

“Our customers and our community thought, Ianthe Pratt was the most deserving recipient.”

That announcement met with healthy applause from the audience, which included government and corporate dignitaries, community leaders and the directors and executives from Graceway Supermarkets.

“This moment is a testament of what we can achieve when a community comes together with a shared vision and a dedication to the well being of our children.  Our generous stakeholders, from all the various entities that have been so ably highlighted, it was about your intentionality,” said Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services who also congratulated the IPPS team for their involvement.

“It is always said that children learn their best through play, it is an opportunity for them to forge relationships, an opportunity for them to harness their social skills and that will be done through play,” said the minister.

“This is one way we can empower our people, through play.  Once again, thank you on behalf of the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

In a poem, Karessa Wynter, IPPS Head girl said: “So here’s to the fun, to memories made, on slides and swings will never fade with every giggle we’ll celebrate, thanks Graceway, you’re truly great!”

Commendation for the project came from Audric Skippings, Member of Parliament for The Bight who encouraged the students to take care of the playground and reminded audiences that the investment is made into the lives of the next generation of the Turks and Caicos.

Mark Garland, Director of Education also offered his gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

“Thank you for the partnership that has resulted in the construction, the erection of this playground.  Today is a very good day, an exciting day for the students.”

The playground was blessed by area pastor, Rev Pedro Williams which followed a robust vote of thanks from the school’s principal, Ms. Neekimo King.

With the ribbon cut and a new sign unveiled, the children were free to explore and play at the refurbished site which now makes up, arguably, the most thrilling spot on campus.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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