In a recent discussion with an acquaintance who is a long time resident of Grand Bahama, he said he hopes Freeport turns around to which I quickly reminded him of the days when we thought Freeport was going down. After the rush of the 50's and the 60s that ushered in a lot of constructions and the building of Freeport which pushed the natives to the outer areas, there came the 70s and the smaller investors leaving quickly. However, in the late 70s and early 80s there was still a lot of activity here. There were over ten big hotels on the island and two casinos. Also there was Sir Laker who came in to add Laker Airways to the airlift to this island. The industrial side was holding its own but things were beginning to taper off. Around this time there were calls of a diversification of industries in the country and to stop relying only on Tourism. Some complaints were flying that there were too many foreign croupiers and well qualified Bahamians who could do that same job Th...
There are some buildings that only look abandoned. This one was one of them. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of her sad face prior to the work that is presently being done to revive her former glory. It was once our very own Lowe's Pipe and Steel. Question is, what happened? It has been closed though for some 20 years at least. But Im told the building on Yellow Pine Rd was bought by Coca Cola and will begin with a fresh start. More good news. Like the Spinx we shall rise out of our ashes. The old Home Depot on West Sunrise Highway, is now the home to Freeport Ship Services. We still have the wonderful old staples in the industrial park - Bahamas Oil Refining Company (although its just a bunkering company now), Freeport Harbour, Freeport Container Port, Bahamas Rock (where once sat the Cement Company), Polymers, Grand Bahama Shipyard and Grand Bahama Power Company. Along with the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the hotels, these are are major employers and ...
"Bend or Break speech" On July 26, 1969, Sir Lynden O. Pinding, then Premier of The Bahamas, delivered this speech during an inspection tour at the official opening ceremony for the new Bahamas Oil Refinery Company (BORCO). This speech in history has been called the "Bend or Break Speech" and has long be said by officials in Grand Bahama to be the reason the lights went out at the "Magical Fair" that was the spark called Freeport. Here is the entire speech: “I am certainly delighted to be here this morning because what I see beginning on this site is not only the erection of an oil refinery but also the real true birth of a petro-chemical industry in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Islands. I am delighted to be here because, if the industry develops as the proprietors hope it will be and I hope it will, not only will The Bahamas be able to meet from within its shores its own presently small needs of kerosene, gasoline, diesel and oth...
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