Grand Bahama has suffered unthinkable neglect, with none of the focus or support needed for recovery and growth. The PLP will make the revitalization of Grand Bahama a top priority, because we believe that it can become a thriving and vibrant success story.
The PLP has a detailed plan to address the needs of Grand Bahama that puts Bahamians first. The plan includes the following:
- Significantly raise work permit fees for jobs Bahamians are qualified to perform.
- Identify Bahamians who can fill job positions when work permits already granted expire.
- Establish a new Ministry for Grand Bahama.
- Cut government departure taxes at the airport and harbor in half, and reduce hotel taxes by 50%, for a period of five years for existing hotels and 10 years for new hotels.
- Promote local entertainment, with incentives and support for restaurants, nightclubs, music festivals, and craft markets, and support to develop Bed-and-Breakfast lodgings.
- Provide incentives and subsidies for airlift of tourists to Grand Bahama, including targeted scheduled flights and charters for seasonal and event-related tourism.
- Upgrade the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, to improve promotion of Grand Bahama in international markets.
- Ensure that duty-free concessions are extended to East and West Grand Bahama.
- Construct a new state-of-the-art hospital, using Bahamian contractors and labour.
- Expand BTVI presence on Grand Bahama, as part of major new investment in technical and vocational training.
- Develop a new public-private partnership to establish a Technology Centre for education and training, and provide a free laptop to every 7th grader.