Flipping Grand Bahama

The Sir Jack Hayward bridge opened on May 2, 2016 with some fanfare. I had to include the construction picture and then the final product with Sir Jacks family heading to a stop to spread Sir Jacks ashes. It was a touching day at all were reminded of the selfless work of Sir Jack and his insistence on having this bridge built to stop there ever being a cut of for the people in the east from the rest of Grand Bahama. Also there was a lot of talk about possible developments in the Barbary Beach area. Lets wait to see.

At the beginning of this week I asked a question that still only one person has answered. The question, "What future do you see for Grand Bahama?" This was one way to find out how many persons are actually reading the posts even though in total we have around 15,000 views so far and for the article on Sarah St. George at the Grand Bahama Business Outlook we have almost 500 views alone, the highest views per page yet. It was great to hear Terence Gapes"  view during the Chamber of Commerce meeting this week though, almost in answer to the question, but he also brought with him a pamphlet entitled, "Economic Crisis in Freeport: A Call to Action Volume 1." This is what I wish to share today. The attorney noted that this was an article written since September 2012 with a follow up, "Call to Action II: Freeport 2015 and the Bridge to Nowhere." Mr. Gape further said that since the Call to Action I the conditions of the economy in Freeport...

Flipping Grand Bahama would be remiss if we did nothing to member one of the founding investors in the creation of Freeport .. Sir Jack Hayward. For years this author has been trying to get that all exclusive chat with him but had to be satisfied with his recount of the old days when he spoke at a Chamber meeting last year. It was a joy to film that despite the fact that my tripod was no where to be found that day.  Sir Jack was not just interested in the development of Freeport/Lucaya, he had certain aspects he was particularly fond of. One being theatre and he along with others are responsible for the formation of the Freeport Players Guild and the Regency Theatre. Thanks from Freeport Friends and Chris Child The tribute to Sir Jack from Bahamasinfo.com said, "it is without a doubt that the Grand Bahama community and the world at large have lost a true thespian. "Sir Jack Hayward was an iconic figure for live theatre in Grand Bahama.  ...

Many say the trend of Grand Bahama is to go up and down... boom and bust then repeat. Some have only seen a steady decline but a lot feel that there is recovery always just beyond the next bend in the road. As the year began there have been predictions on what this year would be like ... what the future holds. Much optimism follows. Sweet Affairs, a confectionary business that opened about two years ago and was closed last year was recently bought out by another investor... local... and is back in business on Queens Highway. A water company has moved up and out and is on Queen's Highway. Owner of Coral Springs Water Company Danny Crawford took over the old Coopers Laboratories across from Dolly Madison and recently held an official opening. Restaurants like blinkers in neon signs have been opening and closing ... many question the thoughts and business sense that goes into them but "nothing beat failure than to try". On a rather sad note more recently one of...

The more good news you get the more comes. So what's going on in Grand Bahama at present? Let's see. Down town the construction for the new Wendy's is on its way. But Sir Jack Hayward announced the months ago and we carried that on this blog. We told you about Entwined opening in our last post and now there is word that the old Pub on the Mall will be reopened with a new/old concept …. a Bahamian review. I just had to look back at the old days of the Pub… (Thanks to oldbahamas.com we can see some of the old places again) So we are now putting more into the night life of Freeport once again. This is to also add to the Q Corporate Lounge on Logwood Road across from Dolly Madison which is offering the mature audiences a place to go to hang out and have fun on the weekends. One thing at a time. One business at a time. One idea at a time. What are you working on? Recently in Freeport the second annual Bridal Show was held and I will say that it ...

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...

On this the last Tuesday in this year, we present to you that last of Sir Jack Haywards speech as presented on December 18th, 2013 during the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. According to him, the vision of Freeport is still hopeful. We believe that as well and we look forward to the ordinary people of Grand Bahama to come together with their own ideas to make 2014 a year of great change and more hope in this island.

One of the co-Chairmen of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Sir Jack Hayward spoke at the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce luncheon held on December 18th, 2013,  leaving quite a stunned group of businessmen. Of interest to this blog was the first part of his speech during which he spoke of Freeport in the early days, which I recorded and have included here. Next week Tuesday, I will give his thoughts on what Freeport is and could be with the question and answer section added. Do give your comments, share and follow this page. We welcome all.   (Please forgive the unsteady camera work from using my mobile phone to record.)