TCI News
From Removal to Redevelopment: ISU Announces 27 Concepts
Turks and Caicos, December 12, 2025 – For the Turks and Caicos Islands, the shift from removal to redevelopment marks a profound national pivot — one that redefines how the country confronts a problem that has quietly reshaped its landscape for more than a decade.
At a media briefing held Tuesday, December 11, the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) confirmed that it has now reviewed 35 informal settlement sites for full redevelopment and is advancing 27 conceptual redevelopment designs, signalling a move beyond enforcement toward long-term planning and land re-imagination.
The announcement comes after nearly three years of intensive work under the leadership of Carlos Simons KC, a former justice of the Supreme Court and one of the country’s most respected legal minds. For Simons, who is himself a Turks and Caicos Islander, the mandate has never been cosmetic. Informal settlements, he has repeatedly stressed, are not simply unsightly — they pose public safety risks, strain infrastructure, undermine land ownership regimes, and create environments vulnerable to criminal activity.
Turks and Caicos remains the only British Overseas Territory grappling with informal settlements at this scale.
From Clearance to Control of Land
Since its inception, the ISU has focused first on reclaiming land that had fallen outside the bounds of planning and regulation. According to data presented, more than 800 informal structures have been addressed across Crown land, private land, and other properties, with the bulk of activity concentrated in Providenciales, and additional operations carried out in Grand Turk and North Caicos.
Providenciales accounts for the largest share of reclaimed acreage and enforcement actions, reflecting both population density and the concentration of informal developments. In Grand Turk, ISU interventions have been more targeted, often tied to flood-prone or environmentally sensitive areas. North Caicos, while hosting fewer informal settlements, has now been formally incorporated into the Unit’s monitoring and redevelopment framework.
To date, the ISU reports approximately 35 acres of land reclaimed, creating, for the first time, a realistic platform for planned redevelopment rather than ad-hoc clearance.
Redevelopment, Not Replacement
What distinguishes this phase of the ISU’s work is not simply the scale of removal, but the clarity of what comes next.
Officials confirmed that 27 redevelopment concepts are now in progress, supported by land already under government control. These are
housing-led but not housing-only designs, incorporating infrastructure layouts, access routes, drainage, and green space — a deliberate break from the sprawl and density that defined informal settlements.
One example shared, illustrated the potential of vertical, modular development: a 2.5-acre site, previously crowded with informal structures, re-imagined to accommodate 105 formal housing units, alongside communal space and planned utilities. The intent, ISU officials said, is to replace disorder with density done right — preserving land while increasing livability.
The Survey Behind the Strategy
Central to the ISU’s evolving approach is a comprehensive Social Needs Assessment Survey, designed not merely to count structures, but to understand the people who lived within them.
The survey spanned multiple islands and dozens of informal settlement sites, collecting data on household size, age distribution, employment status, length of residence, access to utilities, sanitation conditions, flood exposure, and vulnerability factors. It captured information across genders and age groups, with particular attention to working-age adults, children, and households headed by single earners.
Officials described the survey as essential to avoiding a blunt enforcement model. Instead, the data is being used to inform redevelopment planning, guide social interventions, and identify patterns — including how long informal settlements persist, how residents integrate into the labour force, and where the greatest risks to health and safety lie.
The findings reinforced what authorities had long suspected: informal settlements are not transient. Many households had occupied land for years, often without basic services, and in conditions that posed escalating risks during heavy rains or storms. The survey now forms a baseline against which future redevelopment and resettlement outcomes will be measured.
Targeting the Next Generation
Recognising that enforcement alone cannot dismantle a culture of informal construction, the ISU launched youth-focused initiatives over the past year, aimed squarely at prevention.
Through school engagement, creative challenges, and public education campaigns, the Unit has begun addressing the mindset that normalises shanty-style building. Officials described the youth programmes as an investment in long-term cultural change, encouraging young people to see planning, legality, and design as non-negotiable elements of national development.
The initiatives also seek to foster pride in place — reframing orderly development not as exclusionary, but as essential to safety, dignity, and opportunity.
A National Turning Point
The ISU’s presentation makes clear that Turks and Caicos has entered a new phase in confronting informal settlements — one grounded in data, planning, and land control, rather than reaction.
Whether the country can sustain the political will, funding discipline, and cross-agency coordination required to move concepts into construction remains to be seen. But for the first time, the national conversation has shifted.
This is no longer only about what must be removed.
It is about what can — and should — be built in its place.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
News
Invest Turks and Caicos Islands Highlights Investment Growth and Workforce Opportunity at 5th Annual General Meeting
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 28th September 2026:Invest Turks and Caicos Islands (Invest TCI) hosted its 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Turks and Caicos, under the theme “Investment and Opportunity: Building a Stronger Workforce.”
The event brought together government officials, investors, developers, industry leaders, small business owners and key stakeholders for an
evening of reflection on the Agency’s performance and the continued growth of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The meeting was called to order by Invest TCI Chairperson Ms. Cindy Ewing, who greeted the guests, outlined the purpose of the AGM, including the Agency’s statutory mandate and commitment to public accountability.
Building on the evening’s focus, Premier and Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, reflected on the strength of the tourism industry, continued development and the transformation experienced by the Islands over the past five decades. He emphasized that economic progress cannot be measured solely by the number of buildings constructed or the amount of capital reaching the country’s shores, but by whether the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are advancing alongside that growth.
The Premier also called for greater attention to the social cost of economic expansion and the extent to which the benefits of growth are shared. As Invest TCI continues to play a central role in facilitating development, he stressed the importance of responsible corporate citizenship and of ensuring that those benefiting from the economy contribute meaningfully to the society in which they operate.
Following the Premier’s remarks, Her Excellency Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam highlighted the opportunity to convert strong investor confidence into lasting economic capability, productivity and prosperity. She underscored the importance of viewing investment as a catalyst for innovation, skills development, enterprise and institutional strength, while building the domestic capacity required to support continued growth.
Bringing the discussion back to Invest TCI’s role in advancing that objective, Chairperson Ms. Ewing presented the Board’s report, reflecting on governance, Board oversight, key achievements and the strategic direction of the Agency, while underscoring the responsibility that accompanies a growing investment environment.
“The true value of investment is not only what is built on our shores, but also what is built within our people,” Ms. Ewing said. She further emphasized the Board’s responsibility to understand the investment landscape, question it and, where necessary, improve upon it.
The focus then shifted from strategic oversight to the Agency’s performance, as Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Angela Musgrove presented on the performance of the organization for the 2025/26 financial year. She highlighted an active investment pipeline of 53 projects valued at approximately $6.335 billion and reported that the Agency received 140 applications to its Micro Small and Medium Enterprise programme, the highest number of applications in the programme’s history. Importantly, she emphasized that the Agency’s focus extends beyond the size of the investment pipeline to the impact these investments are expected to generate across the economy, including employment, construction activity, business opportunities, linkages with local enterprises and broader economic participation.
Further demonstrating the breadth of activity across the Agency’s portfolio, Mrs. Musgrove reported progress under the Heritage Turks and Caicos Islander Investment Policy, with two Development Agreements executed and five projects currently progressing through the Heritage pipeline. She highlighted the Agency’s focus on moving these projects forward and converting investment activity into tangible outcomes, including construction and employment opportunities. This impact-focused approach reflects the Agency’s emphasis on not only attracting and facilitating investment, but on tracking how investment translates into measurable benefits for the Turks and Caicos Islands and its people.
Providing a financial and operational overview, Mrs. Musgrove emphasized that performance should not be assessed only by budget utilization, but by what the Agency delivers through its resources, including investments advanced, businesses supported and opportunities created across the Islands. This , she noted, reinforces the Agency’s focus on accountability, results and measurable economic impact.
A central feature of the evening was the special panel discussion, “Beyond Employment: Turning Investment into Opportunity for Our People.” Moderated by Damian Wilson, Deputy Director of Radio Turks and Caicos, the panel brought together James McAnally, Regional Managing Director, Sandals Resorts International; Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services; Claudia Been Munnings, Director of Organizational Learning and Development, Pelican Energy; Melanie Smith, Founder and Owner, Talent Recruitment Group; and Dr. Candice Williams, President, TCI Community College.
The discussion explored five interconnected priorities: workforce quality, meaningful local participation, skills and workforce readiness,
career progression, and stronger partnership and planning. Panelists considered how education and training can be better aligned with industry demand and higher-value, specialized and future-focused roles, while creating clearer pathways for advancement and leadership. The discussion also reinforced the importance of collaboration among government, investors, employers and training institutions in preparing the workforce for the next decade of development.
Other highlights of the evening included an investment and economic development video and a prize giveaway, with prizes including a spa experience for two at South Bank and four day or night passes sponsored by Beaches Turks and Caicos. Invest TCI also recognized staff members who reached five and ten years of service, acknowledging their dedication and contribution to the Agency’s continued growth and development.
The 5th AGM reinforced Invest TCI’s continued focus on attracting and facilitating investment while ensuring that economic growth creates meaningful opportunities for the people and businesses of the Turks and Caicos Islands. With a significant investment pipeline, record demand for MSME support and continued progress under the Heritage Policy, the Agency remains focused on advancing projects, supporting enterprise and strengthening the connection between investment, workforce development and long-term economic opportunity.
The evening concluded with closing remarks and appreciation to attendees, speakers, panelists, partners and the organizing team for their contribution to a successful AGM.
For more information on upcoming events and Invest TCI initiatives, follow Invest TCI on social media @InvestTCI.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands— Thursday, 24 September 2026: The Department of Disaster Management and
Emergencies (DDME) was invited by Digicel to deliver a hurricane preparedness presentation to members of their staff.
The engaging 90-minute presentation formed part of DDME’s ongoing public education and awareness efforts aimed at strengthening preparedness across the Turks and Caicos Islands. During the session, Digicel employees were provided with important information on the potential impacts of hurricanes and other emergencies, as well as the actions that individuals and organisations can take to reduce risks and protect lives, property and essential operations.
The presentation emphasised that preparedness is a shared responsibility and should begin well before a storm or other emergency threatens the country. Staff were encouraged to understand the risks associated with hurricanes, remain informed through official sources and develop personal and workplace preparedness plans.
DDME recognises the important role that businesses play in national disaster preparedness and resilience. Corporate organisations are
encouraged to establish and regularly review emergency plans that clearly outline responsibilities, communication procedures, evacuation arrangements, business continuity measures and recovery actions.
“Preparedness is most effective when it is planned and practised before an emergency occurs,” Jason Hills, DDME Director. “Organisations that invest in preparedness today are better positioned to protect their people, maintain essential services and support the wider community during times of crisis.”
Corporate organisations, schools and government departments interested in DDME’s assistance with hurricane preparedness training, emergency drills support or assistance with developing a business contingency plan are encouraged to contact the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies via email at ddme.tci@gmail.com.
News
Indian Association of Turks and Caicos Islands Empowers Local Students Through Back-to-School Backpack & Supplies Drive
PROVIDENCIALE, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS — The Indian Association of Turks and Caicos Islands (IATCI) is proud to
announce the successful completion of its 2026 Back-to-School Supplies Initiative, distributing essential backpacks and educational materials to local students and families across the community.
With the new academic year underway, this annual drive was designed to alleviate the financial burden on families while equipping local youth with the necessary tools for academic success.
Education is an investment in a better generation and a brighter future. We are grateful to all our generous donors and supporters whose contributions helped make this initiative possible.
The initiative’s success was made possible through the collaboration and contributions of local corporate partners and community members. IATCI extends its sincere appreciation to the following sponsors for their support and commitment:
• Mayaa Ltd, Ayavue Enterprises, Provo Café, Sunny Foods, Gold Smith, Charlie’s, Kishco / Kostco, Citrusbuy Ltd.
Through partnerships like these, IATCI continues its commitment to fostering community growth, supporting educational development, and making a lasting positive impact across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
About the Indian Association of Turks and Caicos Islands (IATCI)
The Indian Association of Turks and Caicos Islands is a non-profit community organization dedicated to cultural enrichment, community service, and supporting educational and social initiatives throughout the islands.
Indian Association of Turks and Caicos Islands (IATCI)
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