PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: Families across the Turks and Caicos Islands are being encouraged to make healthier, budget-friendly choices all year round, thanks to Beaches Turks & Caicos’ creative team of bartenders who have shared refreshing smoothie recipes that are as nutritious as they are delicious.

Recognizing the daily challenge parents face in balancing work, family life and healthy eating, the resort’s bartenders have developed easy-to-make, affordable smoothies that cater to both children and adults. The initiative aligns with Beaches Turks & Caicos’ ongoing commitment to supporting family wellness and community well-being through practical, accessible lifestyle choices.

“Using these recipes is a great way to promote health while keeping things simple,” said Managing Director James McAnally. “Our team members are passionate about enhancing healthy lifestyles within our communities and this is just one way we help families make positive changes year-round.”

Among the standout recipes is the “Morning Sunshine,” a tropical blend of banana, mango and pineapple packed with fibre, potassium and vitamins A and C. Anna-Kay Thompson, bartender at the French Village, said the drink supports digestion and boosts energy levels. “Children are drawn to bright colours; they eat with all their senses. This smoothie is healthy, cost-effective and a great way to start any day,” she added.

Another favourite, the “Triple Tango,” mixes blueberries, kiwi and banana for a vibrant blend that boosts brain health and strengthens the immune system. Junior Jones, bartender at the Caribbean Village, described it as “a dance for the mind and body” thanks to its natural balance of sweet, tart and citrusy flavours.

For those craving something bold, the “Red Razzle” combines watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi and a hint of ginger for a refreshing, nutrient-rich mix. Packed with antioxidants, fibre and hydration-boosting properties, it’s a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults. “This smoothie helps promote better nutrition and supports heart and immune health,” said bartender Kevin Williams.

Parents like Judy Morales, who balance work and family life, appreciate the initiative. “These smoothies are a game changer,” she said. “They’re simple, nutritious and fun to make with kids. It’s a great way to stay healthy without spending a lot.”

Bar Manager Uton Graham added that the resort’s bar team enjoys creating healthy beverage options that can be easily replicated at home. “Serving beverages for children requires creativity,” he noted. “We’re happy to share ideas that families can enjoy beyond the resort any time of the year.”

Beaches Turks & Caicos continues to blend more than just ingredients; it blends values of health, family and community. Through its food and beverage initiatives, the resort encourages families to adopt healthier habits while spending quality time together.

Turks and Caicos, November 7, 2025 – A record 2,846 new jobs are on the horizon for the Turks and Caicos Islands — a staggering figure that underscores the scale of economic momentum now coursing through the country. The announcement came yesterday as Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, presented his mid-year report in the House of Assembly.

“Let me repeat, 1.27 billion dollars in development agreements for major projects have been executed,” the Premier told lawmakers. “From these projects we will create one thousand and twenty-three new rooms and two thousand eight hundred and forty-six permanent jobs for the economy.”

In a population of barely 45,000, that number is seismic. It speaks to both the opportunity and the tension of the moment — prosperity that will stretch local capacity and, inevitably, deepen reliance on foreign labour.

$1.27 Billion in Fresh Investments Fueling Growth

The employment surge is being driven by $1.27 billion in new development agreements brokered by Invest TCI between April and September 2025. The investment list is stacked with big-ticket names:

• Hadley Investments Limited – $1.2 billion
• The Bight by Dream Hotel – $65.5 million
• Retreat Development Limited – $7.3 million
• Amethyst Development Ltd. – $6.8 million

Collectively, these projects will bring 1,023 new rooms online and ignite activity across multiple islands. The Premier noted that 27 development agreements valued at just over $3 billion remain active — 22 in Providenciales, two each in Grand Turk and South Caicos, and one on Ambergris Cay.

Six new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects valued at $755 million have already started between April and September 2025, spread across four islands. Another four domestic investment proposals, worth $407.9 million, have been received for new luxury resorts, townhomes, and mixed-use spaces.

“Tourism continues to be the lifeblood of our economy,” Misick said. “But the pace of investment has been nothing short of vigorous, signaling strong investor confidence and a very promising future.”

The Labour Equation: Prosperity Meets Pressure

For all the celebration, there’s a flip side — the people needed to make this boom possible. The Premier acknowledged the growing reliance on expatriate labour and the strain that comes with it.

Work permit fees brought in $22.6 million during the first six months of the fiscal year — $1.9 million above estimates and $2.7 million higher than last year. Most of those work permits, the Premier confirmed, are tied to tourism and construction, sectors now running at full throttle.

“As construction and allied business activity has increased, so too has the number of work permits,” he said. The message was unvarnished: the more the economy expands, the greater the need for imported hands to build, serve, and sustain it.

It’s a bittersweet reality for a country whose citizens are ambitious but few. The challenge now — and the political test — will be whether the government can pair this expansion with deeper training, education, and local participation so that Turks and Caicos Islanders fill more of these high-value roles in the years ahead.

A Government Flush with Cash

If the development pipeline paints a picture of the future, the balance sheets show the country’s strength right now. The Premier reported that cash flow increased by $63.7 million in the first six months of the fiscal year.

At the end of the 2024/25 financial year, the government’s cash balance stood at $366.3 million — but by the end of September 2025, that figure had climbed to a commanding $430 million.

Of that total, $242.9 million sits in the Consolidated Fund for day-to-day operations, and $88.5 million is available in the Development Fund for project implementation — up sharply from $51.5 million in March.

It’s a level of fiscal cushion that few small island states can claim — one that gives the TCI a rare degree of resilience and maneuverability at a time when global markets are volatile.

A $1.7 Billion Economy — and Climbing

The Premier’s mid-year report confirmed that TCI’s economy now stands at $1.7 billion, with per capita income just over $34,000, among the highest in the Caribbean. Economic growth was a strong 6.5% in 2024, and global ratings agency Standard & Poor’s upgraded the country’s credit rating to A-, citing “sound fiscal management” and cash reserves nearing 30% of GDP.

Still, Misick cautioned against complacency, warning of tariff volatility, inflationary pressures, and U.S. stock market swings that could cool retiree travel — a major visitor segment. “These are realities we cannot ignore,” he said. “But neither will we be complacent. My government is responding proactively — intensifying marketing efforts, introducing targeted promotions, and pursuing new partnerships.”

The Bottom Line

The Turks and Caicos economy is running hot — billions in projects, thousands of jobs, and a government flush with cash. But with that heat comes a balancing act: managing rapid expansion while ensuring Islanders remain at the center of the story.

Because a boom means little if it doesn’t lift the people who call these islands home.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being

We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.

This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting.  All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our  Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.

At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding.  Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:

1.    Evacuation Advisories

Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:

Middle Caicos 

• Conch Bar                 Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre

North Caicos

• Sandy Point              Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
• Whitby                        Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
• Bottle Creek              Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School

Providenciales

• • • Chalk Sound             Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
    • Five Cays                  Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
    • Discovery Bay          Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
    • Juba Sound              Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
    • Long Bay                   Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School

South Caicos

• Cockburn Harbour   Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
• Old Airport Road      Nearest Shelter: Community Centre

Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.

2.    Activation of Emergency Operations Centre

The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.

3.    Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.

4.    Shelter-in-Place

A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.

This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.

Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.

In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.

Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.