The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was elected to office on September 16th, 2021. Four years on the party’s National Chairman, the Hon. Fred Mitchell is commenting on the administration’s efforts to revive the economy of Grand Bahama.
While speaking with ZNS News, Mitchell expressed his confidence that the party has fulfilled its promises concerning the island’s revival. He said, “the economy is growing that’s the difference between 2021 and where we are today. And the only entity in the country that you can credit with that is the Progressive Liberal Party.”
Grand Bahama has experienced a long period of economic stagnation and setbacks due in part to numerous natural disasters. Mitchell highlighted some of the projects and initiatives currently underway on the island such as the Grand Bahama Shipyard expansion project, Celebration Key Cruise Port and the new medical facility set for completion in 2026.
This new economic activity has led to a need for more workers on the island. Mitchell said, “I’ve been receiving calls from employers in Freeport who say as a result of the Carnival project all of the labour has been sopped up, largely, in Grand Bahama and they are looking to bring in people from the outside to work. This, of course, is something that we resist because we believe that Bahamians have to have the first bite of the cherry for any job opportunities, but that fact is its created a vacuum demands in Grand Bahama. So that’s a good thing.”
The PLP Chairman noted that by 2028 there will be six million tourists traveling to the island and Grand Bahamians should get ready to invest.
