The site of the Royal Palm Resort in Freeport, Grand Bahama is currently under renovation to become a business innovation center.
Government officials recently toured the site where work is being carried out by FTS Construction. Company president, Steve Laing called the project a great spark for the island of Grand Bahama. He said, “you can imagine these small, first time business owners having a chance to open up their own businesses assisted by the TDC (Tourism Development Corporation).”
TDC Deputy Chairman and Project Manager, Anthony Bostwick expressed his pleasure with the pace of the work being done at the site and commended the FTS Construction team. “They have done an excellent job. Like I said, when we first came in the back here it was a jungle. It was a building the nobody wanted to see or touch now right down to its very shell in two weeks. I came out here in the night, they were working in the night, 24 hours they were working. This is a Grand Bahamian contractor that really mashed it up,” he said.
According to TDC Chief Executive Officer, Ian Ferguson the Corporation is also playing a role in the development of the Fishing Hole Road Cultural Village. They are also providing up to $10,000 grants to businesses through the Venture Pitch Competition. Ferguson said, “next week we’ll be in Eleuthera and then in Cat Island and then in Andros. We are moving across the islands of The Bahamas eventually coming back to Grand Bahama, of course, to ensure that we give these opportunities. The Pitch Competition really allows persons to hear themselves talking about their businesses and of course to share that with distinguished panelists who can give them ideas as to how to further enhance and develop.”
The new business innovation center will include approximately thirty booths and a food court.
