Crackdown on crime, services improved, marinas reopen with cruiser incentives. 

New airport under construction in Marsh Harbour, Abaco

The long-awaited redevelopment of Marsh Harbour International Airport is well underway after nearly 30 years of pushing for a better facility in the busy Abaco transit hub. As Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham signed the $27 million contract with FES Construction Company in September, he said the development would be complete in a little over a year. At 51,000 square feet, this terminal building will open with 22 counters, a modern luggage scanning system, 2 restaurants, 2 lounges, 8 shops, as well as long- and short-term parking areas. There will be a new air traffic control tower and fire/crash rescue facility.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that Central Abaco has the infrastructure befitting its stature,” the Prime Minister said as he noted the importance of Abaco as a significant economic center for the island nation.

Further development plans for the area include the building of a new hospital in Marsh Harbour and a road to connect the Central Abaco S.C. Bootle Highway and Forest Drive.

Abaco is in a good position for further growth as the economy picks up, said Minister of Works, Neko Grant, as he noted the island’s 21 percent population increase since 2000 as well as the growth of various industries.

“The airport terminal project will further enhance Marsh Harbour Airport’s capacity to provide quality service to the growing number of residents, as well as visitors to this island who will use this facility,” Neko said.

Marinas reopen with new incentives for cruisers

Resorts and marinas recovering from a beating by Hurricane Irene are reopening this month with new incentives to draw in winter cruisers. Wind and water damage at the Green Turtle Cay Club in North Abaco allowed for infrastructural upgrades during a two-month closure, and it has now reopened with enticing winter rates for its trademark free dockage special. Cruisers can tie up at a rate of $1.25 per foot per day until February 28, and levy the daily dockage fees against food and beverage purchases at the Green Turtle Club. The Bluff House nearby is offering cruisers a new long-term dockage rate starting at $349 per month. And in Elbow Cay, the Hope Town Inn and Marina has opened 4 two-bedroom/two-bathroom villas and 64 boat slips after purchasing Hope Town Hideaways Villas and Marina.

Winter cruisers to Bimini can dock at either of the Bimini Bay Resort’s two marinas for 30, 60, or 90 days and pay only when on board, with rates starting at $1 per foot per night with a 10-night minimum. Short-term cruisers pulling in for the weekend can take advantage of Bimini Bay’s two-for-one Dockage Happy Hour special which charges for just one of two nights, starting at $2 per foot per night.

Humanitarian relief mitigates hurricane impact

Donations have been pouring in to help in the wake of Hurricane Irene as individuals, corporations and the Bahamian government have stepped up to support humanitarian efforts. Kerzner International—owners of the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island—put $500,000 towards the National Emergency Management Agency’s relief efforts, and earned the praises of Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette.

“Kerzner is truly a friend of the Bahamas when the need arises, such as the damage we had as a result of Hurricane Irene or whether it is for the development of the Bahamas in general,” he stated.

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) donated $250,000 to support restoration efforts, and made $1.9 million in mobile phone credits available to BTC customers who were impacted by the storm.

Local fundraisers, such as operators of the Greenwood Beach Resort in Cat Island, raised more than $20,000 for materials to support isolated communities left without power, water or telephones after Irene. Prime Minister Ingraham also signed off on a $200,000 emergency relief grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to help provide food, clothing, potable water, medicines, shelters and other relief items to the most affected people in Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, Rum Cay, Acklins, Crooked Island and Mayaguna.