GB News Courier

Recently, Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) Chairman Sarah St. George officially announced the initial Freeport Art Festival, scheduled to start on March 23, 2023. The event is in keeping with the GBPA’s focus on inspiring the creative community. Some remarks presented by Chairman St. George follow:

“We’re here to announce our very first Freeport Art Festival over 3 days beginning March 23^rd, Art Lucaya. We lost our main art gallery at Our Lucaya back in Hurricane Matthew. And now after Dorian and Covid, we can start to take pride and joy in celebrating our social and cultural as well as physical revival. We must continue to foster the immense reservoir of artistic talent that Grand Bahama possesses.

“Grand Bahamian artists shouldn’t only have the choice of Nassau as a venue to be seen, and tourists visiting the island shouldn’t have to go very far to see the art of Grand Bahama. When this happens, artists are able to earn a livelihood, and to be entrepreneurs. Art can be a hobby, but properly nurtured, it is a vocation, it creates an economy! Interestingly, the Art Basel Fair in Miami, which has been established for 20 years now, brings close to $500 million to Miami Beach in just a few days every year, and $2.5 billion in artworks. Imagine just a fraction of that here 60 miles away.

“Freeport can brand itself as a city of art and culture as well as industry, tech, and commerce. As this project has progressed, I and all of us have been stunned by the beauty, craftsmanship, and originality of the work created here, and the pieces that will be showcased the weekend of March 23. All nature starts with a small seed.  This is a small beginning, but Art Lucaya can grow into an annual festival attracting the attention of collectors and curators everywhere.

“Besides the art economy, what else does art bring to a culture, community and our children? It is a record, it is living history, it’s uplifting to the soul. It’s as important a means of self-expression as writing, music, singing; all of which are Godly in a sense, and make us more sensitive, creative, colourful, caring human beings.

“The Grand Bahama art community is alive and strong; Ben Ferguson, President of the GB Art Association, well-known Grand Bahamian artists like Sheldon Saint, Chantal Bethel, Leo Brown, Matthew Wildgoose, Denzil Lightbourne, Laurie Tuchel, Alisa Streather, Lisa Cordella, Del Foxton, Marina Gottlieb, Paula Farrington, Maquelle Munroe, Claudette Dean, and many others. A total of 45 artists will be exhibiting. Our vibrant community of artists needs a proper platform to share their work.

“As written in the Book of Matthew: ‘No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others’. The time has come!”

By Fred Sturrup | GB News Editor | [email protected]

It was a magical evening!

Sarah St. George, who sits in the chairman’s office at the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), inspired hopes in a festive audience. 

In attendance were His Excellency Sir Cornelius Smith, the nation’s Governor General; Minister of Social Services and Urban Development and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly, Obediah Wilchcombe; and GBPA president Ian Rolle, among the many dignitaries.

Indeed, the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s recent (December 9) Christmas bash at the famed Stoned Crab on Taino Beach, was certainly one of the social highlights of the closing year 2022. 

With her remarks, St. George fostered a joyous mood, but more importantly, divulged some very encouraging comments related to island-wide economic restoration and recovery that could bring about a revitalized island in 2023.

She spoke about some $500 million worth of investment projects “taking shape” in Grand Bahama. Inclusive are the Six Senses Hotel project under the Weller Pegasus brand, the much-talked about Carnival Port Project at Sharp Rock Point in East Grand Bahama, the West Atlantic Medical School, other new investments such as the Xquisite Yachts at Running Mon Marina, Ernst & Young Wealth Management, the new Solomon’s downtown mega food store, and Bahamas Minerals & Manufacturing.  

“We know we are blessed here in our small, but great nation. Having survived the devastation of Hurricane Dorian (in Grand Bahama), closely followed by the Covid-19 global pandemic and lockdown; I’m not sure any of us imagined the scale of readjustment to life and the economy.

“Let’s face it, the whole world is having its troubles,” she said.  St. George referred to the price increases “across the spectrum” and “problems with manufacturing goods, filling orders, deliveries and transportation.” She further mentioned the War in Ukraine which brought about global fuel cost increases and the heightened costs of basic food items.

“We can’t control it, so we must do everything in our power to counter the impact, to create more economic activity, more revenue for Grand Bahama. Even as I say this, many experts are predicting a recession in America sometime soon. But I’m thinking, is Grand Bahama in fact going the opposite way and beginning to thrive?

“This year, we have seen some $500 million, half a billion dollars, of inward investment taking shape on Grand Bahama. We spearheaded the new Carnival Port ground breaking. Carnival is spending some $350 million on the Port. Work has already started. They are spending at a rate of $5 million a month. Work on the actual 1000-foot trestle and steel pier should begin next February. The maritime work alone will amount to $120 million,” said St. George.

Other than the Six Senses Hotel project being led by Rupert Hayward, there is the option for a further 2000 acres of land development that Hayward and Henry St. George along with associates, are working on.

For sure, the stage definitely seems set for a revitalized island, well beyond mere talking points. St. George expressed appreciation to all of the organizations and agencies that are partners in the revitalization process.

“Our pledge this Christmas is to continue to strive for the success promised, for every man, woman and child living here in Grand Bahama. Christmas remains a symbol of rebirth and hope,” said the matriarch of the governing body of the City of Freeport, the GBPA, which greatly helps with the subsistence of residents in the fully government-controlled areas of West and East Grand Bahama. 

The GBPA event, indeed, sounded a rather nice note as 2023 approaches.

By Fred Sturrup |GB News Editor | [email protected]

The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is consistent with a strong focus on an organization it fostered years ago.  According to a recent release sent out from the GBPA, The Downtown Freeport Business Association, following recent elections, is headed by Antoine Brooks.

With the GBPA as the ongoing catalyst entity linked to the group of business owners, it is expected that as the Ministry of Grand Bahama, through the Government of The Bahamas, zeroes in major investments and capital projects in Grand Bahama, the GBPA will drive the initiative to revitalize the business sector of Freeport.

The GBPA and other participants who are striving for an economic bounce for the business places in downtown Freeport, are surely cognizant of how important their efforts are toward reviving the entire island financially. Freeport anchors the economy of Grand Bahama. 

It is for this reason, the GBPA has made the business association such a high priority. This is a challenging time for business houses, and many of those in the downtown sector have been struggling to keep doors open.

Downtown business owners are to be saluted for their determination. A greater connection to the buying public is imperative. Somehow the GBPA must help the business association to become more relevant, by guiding owners to concentrate on attractive marketing programs, in general, prices that will lure the local buyers.

There should be full recognition that the long-time habit of many, to simply board a ship, and go to Florida for shopping, is entrenched.  Be minded, downtown business owners.  Coming together to devise a formula to compete against the Florida market, is a necessity.

Best wishes.