Flipping Grand Bahama

Well... there is quite a bit going on in Grand Bahama and many announcements being made. Last week there were several announcements but today we will talk about PharmaChem. According to their release, "this new state-of-the-art facility, supported by Gilead Sciences Inc., will provide life saving drugs. The site on West Sunrise Highway was acquired by Mr. Pietro Stefanutti in 2002, and during the ground breaking he said the time has come to take another step ensuring that PharmaChem is a viable and sustainable operation for years to come. This expansion is said to be costing $130m, and also it is expected to generate an economic impact on Grand Bahama's economy of about $40-$50 million resulting in over 100 contractors being employed on the project. In an overview of the partnership with Gilead Sciences, Stefanutti said that in 2003, a non disclosing agreement was signed between the companies to determine to path for the manufacturing of an HIV compound on the...

The quiet dreamy island of Grand Bahama was very quiet for centuries and its potential was seen by an American investor who first settled in Abaco then came here. On a vision, a whim, he pictured a second Vegas/Paris/London in the Caribbean just off the coast of Florida. The idea caught on and years later we have Freeport, Grand Bahama. It was "the new world" for those persons looking for the warm weather not far from home but boasting the beautiful trees by the long stretches of beaches. It was the place to go and many came looking for a new life filled with new beginnings. The first of everything they can say they saw along with the potential being realized by Wallace Groves who dreamed up Freeport. To Bahamians this was a far fetched idea that would not work in the long run. No other project in the island did last very long so why should this. The 99 year lease was a laugh and that laughter has turned to a frown waiting for the shoe to drop ... 60 years later. Yes,...

Looking at my island I feel betrayed promises and promises of a better day a brighter day, a day of joy Has your eyes glassed over and are you longing to finally give up the ghost? Cant you be persuaded to fight just once more  for you and your family After watching Ghandi this past weekend I was inspired to ask if the rantings of one optimist makes a difference on the island? In a country of 300 plus million at that time peacefully Ghandi implored this people to put down their weapons to think and to liberate the country and then to stop civil war. I wish my people would put down the political weapons that keep us ignorant. We need to fight for the employment we deserve. To make the jobs and work them. To bring the hope and drive back to Freeport. To really mean it when we say the "good ole days are coming back" and show it by working on making it so. As for the politicians, in the words of Ghandi, " What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, an...

Whimsy and fanciful are feelings being expressed today and we explore the subject of "What Ifs...." Hmmm.... Where can I start. Yesterday talking with friends I realized that there could be sufficient jobs for those persons simply looking for jobs, if... And there would be other opportunities for middle men in all professions if.... What is this if? Well I can start by looking at something close to me.... golf courses. Now you may laugh and say what does the golf courses have to do with the economy of Grand Bahama? Once upon a time, Grand Bahama have about seven golf courses - Jack Tar, Shannon, Reef, Lucayan, Fortune, Ruby and Emerald. Today we have only three with a possible four - Reef, Ruby, Fortune and the non-functioning Old Bahama Bay which is actually almost ready. Where are the jobs? In the club houses, at their bars, cutting their lawns, maintaining their equipment, etc. Most of these are attached to hotels, but ... what about the hotels? Wait ...