By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said the group is aiming to stimulate small and medium-sized business growth in the island’s West End after the latest bid to acquire the former Ginn project foundered.

James Carey told Tribune Business that the Government’s rejection of the present Reunion Cay proposal by Kingwood International Resorts is not the end as it is not the “only game in town”.

He said: “There’s some small businesses developing out there. That’s a very nice area and we hope some touristic things can happen. My Chamber in October is supposed to do some workshops in that area to see if we can stimulate and encourage the small businesses down that way.

“We want to offer some assistance for persons tip-toeing through the process of getting established. But there is nothing big on the horizon that I’m aware of for West End, Grand Bahama, that’s going to make an impact. I think there’s opportunities for a lot of touristic things to happen, and design and embrace opportunities for things that are tourist-related. There are a lot of very natural things out that way and, from my perspective, that is what we should be focused on.

“Naturally some things will develop, some residential complexes I hope, but again I’m not aware of any of these things on the drawing board at the present time.”

Investment activity in Grand Bahama is presently focused on Freeport via the Grand Lucayan’s potential sale, the Carnival Cruise Line port’s construction, Western Atlantic Medical University’s build-out and Doctor’s Hospital new hospital.

Mr Carey, referring to recent meetings involving the Government, Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and Chamber, said: “I have no issues with the GBPA. We’re in communication with each other and, two Friday’s ago, the Chamber, the GBPA and the minister for Grand Bahama sat down together at the same table and had a chat about how we can work together for the common good.

“This meeting was only a preliminary meeting, and only to open the channel of communication between the partners. That is truly encouraging for me. So we’re seeing where that gets us in the not too distant future, but it is nice to sit at the table and share your thoughts on how to get Grand Bahama moving more than it is.”

Acknowledging complaints about the GBPA’s role in the island’s development, or lack of it, Mr Carey said: “I hear a lot of complaints about the GBPA, and the Board had an event last week and they sought to set out and explain exactly what they are doing for the island.

“But maybe they need to be more visible in what they intend. I’m not saying they are strictly driven by profit because, in my exchanges with them, they do understand the bigger picture where they have to spend money to drive things so bigger and better things can happen.”