By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A SISTER City Agreement will be signed in Cat Island today establishing a close link between Cat Islanders and the people of Richton Park, Illinois.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, the MP for Cat Island, and Mayor Richard Reinbold of the village of Richton Park, will attend the official signing at 2pm at Fernandez Bay.

This initiative comes after a year of talks and planning spearheaded by Ginger Moxey, president and CEO of Immerse Bahamas, a destination and project management company that aims to promote culturally-immersive programmes. 

Cat Island is one of the first Bahama islands to forge a Sister City relationship. 

Michael Fountain, the Bahamas Consul to Chicago, is also expected to attend.

Immerse Bahamas has partnered with Sister Cities International to develop relationships for the enhancement of cultural, educational, tourism and business exchanges throughout The Bahamas. 

“The aim is of the Sister Cities relationship, among other things, is to realise mutually beneficial opportunities between Cat Island and the Village of Richton Park, promote Cat Island and The Bahamas as a vacation destination and develop educational exchange programmes,” according to Immerse Bahamas.  

“While the formalities of the signing is just hours away, the bonds between the people of Cat Island and Richton Park have already formed and were cemented with a visit to the Village of Richton Park by the Cat Island Sister City Association in September 2014, and a subsequent visit to Cat Island by the people of Richton Park three months ago.”

In March, Mr Davis and his wife, Ann Marie, hosted Mayor Reinbold, his delegation, and members of the Cat Island Sister City Association to a welcome dinner at their home in New Providence.