Grand Bahama’s infrastructure, including its port facility and the 11,000 foot runway and terminal at the International Airport, coupled with the tax incentives offered by the Hawkesbill Creek Agreement, were key factors in attracting the principals behind the 4.5 billion MOON Bahamas resort project to this nation.
Gerry Wirth, of Wirth & Associates, who played a key role in enticing Michael Henderson, chairman of RJH Holdings and the MOON’s creator, into considering the Bahamas for the project, told The Tribune that until six to seven months ago this nation was not on the map as a possible location.
Those working with the MOON project say it will employ as many Bahamian professionals as possible in the construction and operational phase, and its Grand Bahama location – with an infrastructure and space already existing – could help to attract workers away from New Providence, relieving population pressure and overcrowding in Nassau.
Dr. Gilbert Morris, head of the Landfall Centre, which is the economic impact consultant to the MOON Bahamas project, said that while no detailed social or economic impact study had yet been conducted, “the early indications are that it will be extremely positive and unlike anything we have seen before in terms of employment, the entrepreneurial commercial opportunities for service providers, the opportunities for training and education in the same way that General Motors has its own university and General Electric has its own university for specialist training.”
He added, ” It’s something this region hasn’t seen since the development of Disney and this development is larger than that.”
Neil Hartnell, The Tribune
