By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The developer behind an $200m Exuma resort project yesterday renewed his pledged that the development will be “transformational” for the island’s economy.

Felipe MacLean, Yntegra Group’s chief executive, said Rosewood Exuma - set to be located on $Sampson Cay - will generate more than 400 jobs and benefit surrounding small businesses which will provide supplies and services for the development.

“This is a transformational project for Exuma. This is something that is going to be very impactful to the community. We are bringing one of the top brands in the world for this development. It’s a brand that is known for their environmental and sustainability principles. So we’re going to be very cognisant on that end,” said Mr MacLean.

“This is a project that has an initial financial commitment of $200m, and it’s going to generate 250 workers for the construction and 150 workers during operation. So you’re talking right there about 400 jobs for Exuma. This is a project that is going to have a big impact, also on the islands surrounding the projects for small businesses that are going to be servicing our project.”

Rosewood Exuma yesterday submitted an application to the Department of Physical Planning for permission to construct 10 units, staff accommodation and facilities, food and beverage dispatch and storage, service utilities, a clubhouse, padel courts, wellness and fitness centre, lounge and coffee bar, specialty restaurants, arrival docks, a beach club, pools, main road and service road.

Mr MacLean said the resort is scheduled to open in June 2028, with a ground breaking and construction planned for May this year. Applications have already been submitted to the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) for certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) approval, and a Town Hall meeting to discuss the planning application is scheduled for later this month.

“We filed our EIA (environmental impact assessment), then we just filed our EMP (environmental management plan) and we expect to have, in the next 60 days, that EMP be reviewed and get back from DEPP. We have our Town Hall meeting scheduled for March 13,” said Mr MacLean.

“The project remains the same low density. We are basically having the same 33 keys for the hotel that we initially said, and we’re still also preserving 50 percent of the site basically green. We are looking forward to having a ground breaking hopefully in May. The hotel is scheduled to open in June 2028, so we are on track for that.

“We’re looking forward to start this very soon. The project is on time, right now. We’re following all the guidelines of the Bahamian government and the agencies, and we cannot wait to start this construction in the month of May.”

Mr MacLean added that Yntegra Group has already began working with surrounding businesses and boat captains who are “excited” for the project to begin.

“We’ve been working very closely with the small business owners. We have been working very closely, also with the captains of Black Point. We’re going to need a lot of captains for our boats in the project,” said Mr MacLean.

“We were two weeks ago interviewing close to 100 people between Black Point, Staniel Cay and Farmers Cay, so all of them, I can tell you, are very excited about this project and are just waiting to get this going. From our end, as developers, we’re ready to start and we cannot wait to for that to happen in the next couple of months.

“This is going to be transformational for Exuma, something that Exuma needs, jobs that the Exumians need, and we cannot wait to start this project”

Mr MacLean said Rosewood Sampson Cay has already begun to integrate into the local community, donating supplies to the clinic, constructing a park for the local school and sponsoring the regatta team to ensure the needs of residents are met.

“We’re donating to the clinic in Black Point, we are donating also to the school. Finally, the school in Black Point is going to have a park for their kids. The clinic is going to be supplied, we’re supplying them with the material that they need urgently and, of course, we’re doing all of that because we spend a lot of time with them and we understand their needs. We’ve been sponsoring also the regatta team, so we’re very proud with that,” said Mr MacLean.