Grand Bahama is in a better position than it was a year ago. There are spurts of growth and revitalization. But Grand Bahama i(Freeport) is one of the areas of the Bahama did not pay its fair share of taxes to the government when it had 30 plus years of growth and boom. Yes the (Black) Bahamian Workers aid but no one else did. And so the city died. And those who got away with all, ALL the tax exemptions are waiting for government to give it mouth to recessitation. Persons come to Grand Bahama on Millon dollar fishing boats and puke at having to pay a $100 cruising or fishing permit. They bring all their supplies with them . And they take fish and other marine products sometimes valued in thousands of dollars. More rights than Bahamians.

There is still a lot of good people on Grand Bahama suffering from lack of employment. It's a beautiful island that should be booming. The people are so nice and glad to see you.The island is so quiet. Many good memories of Grand Bahamas, back in the day.

So long as people, (the politicians) continue to get their free lunch, then most of them it seems simply don't seem to care what happens to the rest of us.
This is sad, yet apparently true.
The term "public servants" does not apply in this country.
These representatives are here for what they can "take" for themselves and their families.
Then, after a few years of these shenanigans they make the taxpayers pay their ways for the rest of their lives?
Disgusting. We see it with our own eyes here on Andros. Representation? Yup, for themselves.
If Grand Bahama is to re-emerge as a brilliant tourist destination, which I believe is very possible, it will be because of the hard work of those who live there.
Forget placing your hopes in government.
What has government really ever done for you?
Bahamian politicians, for the majority, are there for themselves.
Who has been paying attention that cannot see this?

What baffels me is how come Bimini Abaco, and Exuma can bounce back and have booming economies after the hurricanes and Grand Bahama is still in the doldrums except for the industrial sector. My guess is Grand Bahama and in particular Freeport present situation has more to do with the lack on visionary leadership on the part of the port authority.as oppose to the government. That is what happens when second and third generation decendants of the founders lack the foresight and ability to execute on the vision of the founders for that city..

The problem with the port authority is absentee ownership (at least on a day-to-day basis) and as a result the port authority leadership (especially the CEO) is a cancer on Grand Bahama. They want to make a tech hub, and yet I have known a tech entrepreneur, who after talking to the CEO of the port authority, didn't want anything to do with Grand Bahama or the Port Authority, or the Bahamas for that matter.

So very true. Slack ass men and slack ass women breeding like animals!

The road is a non issue!

Freeport is my home, I've lived here 34 years, raised my kids here. I am a Bahamian and like it however, I also own my business which puts me in a prison like state. If I was lucky enough to have a job and rented a house then I have the choice to pack up, leave and look for greener pastures. But when you own, you're stuck! You can't sell your business or your home so, like me, I have no other choice but stay and really hope something happens. I don't want to leave but the reality is I'm not getting any younger and how long can I hold out? I've been lucky enough to stay open and make a living but after many years of long hours and sacrifice, it would be nice to have been able to put some money away for the "golden" years. Building wealth in Grand Bahama is a dream afforded to very few.

Right now how can tourism in GB? There is nowhere to stay, and what available offers nothing to bring the tourist back. There is no live entertainment. The casino is a joke. I didn't see anyone in it. I don't gamble so I really didn't pay any attention to that. No busy beaches, with snorkeling, parasailing, banana boats etc. Tiki bars keeping the patrons drinks full. Literally it felt like a ghost town. Everyone I encountered was extremely nice, and appreciated your visit. More than encouraging to come back and I will.

Idiots. My idea is to make Grand Bahama and only Grand Bahama a legal marijuana zone. The US Federal Government is on the verge of legalizing weed (or letting states choose) nation wide. With the removal of the Federal ban, the Bahamas has no reason to criminalize marijuana. Use Grand Bahama as the platform for Bahamian entrepreneurs to legally sell pot to Bahamians and tourists alike. This lead to a huge boom in GB, as everyone flocks to its "high" shores.

@TheMadHatter and proudloud ....yourll beifing about the closure of a road which makes no sence .....I am talking about the visionary leadership that Sir Jack and Sir Edward bought to Freeport. They always had a plan A B C D and on and on when they headed the port authority. They kept the economy of freeport Bomming.. Those guys had the respect of the international investing community and Investors were always knocking at the port doors to do business in freeport. That why it was known as the magic city. . The second and third generation of their decendants who presently own the port and the people who have the senior positions at the port have not demonstrated the vision to return freeport to the magic city days. The Government seams to be rolling out more ideas than the port such as to reciently enacted Commercial Enterprise bill to facilitate the ease of starting a business there.
Freeport being the industrial heart beat of the country should be courting businesses in the green economy and eco tourism sector. Every week the port should be leading a delegation to countries around the world seeking to attract companies to take advantage of freeport close location of the east coast of the largest economy in the world. Freeports death will end when the port develop and implement a vision 20K plan .

Ma Comrade RealityCheck242, I'd stick my Freeport concerned neck out that the 'visionary' healing powers whatever delivery vehicle your using Medical cannabis, does seems be brungin 'visionary confusion' your head - far exceeding required medicinal potency... bet you does have munchies all time.

Ma Comrades, "I don't really see why Freeporters would want to allow the Port to continue stick around day longer while holding onto anything resembling economic power, control or dominance over Freeport..... .To Freeporters......the predictability Hawksbill Agreement going back of never even remotely coming close much promised 'magic city'..... negative memories are long in mind's Freeporters... time send family packing and return Freeport and its sitting empty economic development acres back to native Freeporters. Should Freeport be nationalized... absolutely... pass the Act and get it over with. Time stop false 'makeovers' of Freeport and market it not as some 'magic city' but as its strongest economic potential - as one of the colony of islands, island. Pindling bended Port... now time finish job . broken it.

Madhattet, you talking plenty sense. Close tge roads to EastGB and WestGB and let the ends develop independently of Freeport. .... SMH

From the beginning 1955 under Hawskill Creek Agreement (or something like that,) Ma Comrade Freeporters, have never experienced what it's like have lived under true colony's form Free Enterprise Democracy.... Always denied by outsiders to have experienced what life be like living as Out Islanders. Free Freeporters, live likes Out Islanders.

Freeport's economy was destroyed by the corrupt and incompetent Lynden Swindling, he was pissed off that he had to pay back some of the money he had "borrowed" from prominent Grand Bahama investors. Like many Bahamians he thought borrowed money should be a gift, Bend or Break, he told them and the people cheered his courage. Similarly thus was Robert Vesco thrown out the country after the PLP crooks had bled him dry. I am sometimes surprised that ant foreign investors come here at all.

Few ma comrades who have never spent much time in Freeport, would be aware that fewer than 6% population have ever owned a lawn mower.... hardly any grass being mowed in Freeport considering how difficult it is grow grass in Freeport. Lots imported fake artificial grass lawns all over Freeport.

This is why DNA should have gotten all 5 Freeport seats.