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$3 Billion in Projects Signal Grand Bahama’s Rebirth, Says Minister Moxey

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Grand Bahama is undergoing an economic revival backed by more than   $3 billion in real investments, according to Pineridge Member of Parliament and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey.  The Minister’s remarks came during her Budget 2025/26 contribution in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, where she painted a vivid picture of recovery and reinvention for the island long regarded as beleaguered.

“Don’t let the noise in the market fool you,” declared Moxey, adding that Grand Bahama is no longer the forgotten stepchild of the Bahamian archipelago.  “There is over $3 billion in real investments happening now in various stages of development.”

Moxey described Grand Bahama as the fastest-growing destination in The Bahamas in terms of air arrivals, up 14.5%, and poised for exponential growth in cruise tourism with the official opening of Carnival’s Celebration Key in July.  Government projections show that by 2028, the island could host as many as 6 million annual visitors.

A Full Ledger of Progress

To fully capture “the magnitude of what’s happening,” the Minister rattled off a comprehensive and unprecedented slate of developments, signaling an economic and infrastructural transformation:

Major Projects Currently Underway:

  • $827M Grand Lucayan Redevelopment – the crown jewel in Freeport’s tourism reboot.
  • $700M Celebration Key – the highly anticipated Carnival cruise port at Sharp Rock.
  • $665M Grand Bahama Shipyard Expansion – positioning Grand Bahama as a maritime leader.
  • $348M Xanadu Beach Project – a return of the iconic resort once frequented by Howard Hughes.
  • $210M Freeport Health Campus – modern healthcare facilities aimed at improving public and private care.
  • $100M RCCL Harbour Cruise Port Development – bolstering Grand Bahama’s appeal to cruise lines.
  • $73M Liwathon at South Riding Point – signaling energy sector stability and resilience.
  • Airport Redevelopment – no financial figure provided, but declared “imminent.”
  • The Bazaar and Royal Oasis Acquisition – reclaiming dormant real estate assets.
  • West Sunrise Highway Reopening – improving transportation and logistics flow.
  • O2 Resort and Marina – a high-end hospitality and nautical tourism facility.
  • Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (Phases III/IV) – growing the island’s academic footprint.
  • Water’s Cay Dock – facilitating marine access and eco-tourism.
  • Sweeting’s Cay Dock – boosting transportation and fishing community resources.

Near-Completion Projects:

  • Doctor’s Hospital Flagship Facility
  • Xquisite Yacht operations
  • University of The Bahamas (UB) North Campus
  • Pine Forest Park

Real Estate Resurgence

Minister Moxey emphasized that these capital injections are also fueling a real estate boom.  “Buildings are going up or being refurbished. Real estate is on the rise.  Grand Bahama is having traffic jams,” she added to laughter in the chamber.

The private sector is confirming the momentum.  According to HG Christie, “With major developments in motion and rising investor confidence, demand for Freeport real estate is accelerating.”  Sarles Realty echoed that view, saying, “All our agents are busy in every level of the market.”

The Airport: A Missing Piece

However, amid the optimism, one glaring omission remains: a full update on the Grand Bahama International and Domestic Airport redevelopment.

While Moxey did confirm that an MOU with the Manchester Airport Group had been executed and that design revisions were in progress, she did not disclose a financial figure, nor did she give a timeline for vertical construction.

“Design adjustments were required to be made to the overall footprint of the terminal building,” said Moxey, linking the changes to the broader Grand Lucayan redevelopment.  “These adjustments are underway, and we anticipate vertical construction to begin soon.”

This leaves residents and stakeholders cautiously hopeful, especially considering that the airport is central to delivering the surge in tourism numbers and creating a strong first impression for visitors.

Grand Bahamians Returning

Beyond the steel and cement, Minister Moxey said she sees another sign of progress: the return of Grand Bahamians who once gave up on their hometown.

“We’re seeing a return of Grand Bahamians who had given up hope,” she said.  “We are building Grand Bahama not just for today but creating a sustainable economy for the long term.”

In her address, Moxey said that the economic engine is no longer sputtering but gaining steam, powered by long-awaited developments now gaining traction under the Progressive Liberal Party government.

“Grand Bahama is being rebuilt, block by block, investment by investment — and finally, the world is starting to take notice,” she said.

Bahamas News

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

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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.

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Bahamas News

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

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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!

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Bahamas News

CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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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.

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