The Ginn Development Company of Orlando, Fla. has completed the acquisition of a substantial portion of land in Grand Bahama crucial to a much-anticipated billion-dollar development, according to a company official.

"We have closed on 2,000 acres on the West End of Grand Bahama Island and we are currently at the government’s request moving forward with an expert third party analysis feasibility study about the proposed value of the project," said Ryan Julison, Ginn’s senior vice president of corporate communications.

The project [will be] a joint venture with the present investors of Old Bahama Bay and would entail the development of the entire 2,150 acres of the Old Sammons property. The plan also encompasses a world-class resort, condominium, golf course, residential, and yachting community.

[Prime Minister] Christie had said, "The magnitude of it is truly staggering. It envisions a total investment of $2.5 billion over 18 years in West Grand Bahama."

The Ginn master plan calls for two 18-hole signature golf courses; three marinas with approximately 600 slips; and the re-opening of the airport as a private non-commercial airstrip with 47 runway access lots. Three thousand eight hundred and eighty units are planned for the project, it was announced nearly two years ago.

At the time of the announcement, the prime minister said, "It is expected that over 700 direct jobs will be created in the first five years of the project, climbing to over 1,400 direct jobs within 10 years."

Government revenues from the project and the sale of residential lots, villas, condominiums and otherwise had also been projected to exceed $45 million over the first five years, growing exponentially as the properties are developed and then resold.

In her most recent update on the negotiations, Minister of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard Gibson said that the negotiations with Ginn were at "a very, very sensitive stage."

"When concessions are given that have not been given before we have to be sure that our citizens who are our shareholders obviously understand what it is that we’re doing and why we’re doing it," she said.

"We fully recognize that West End was an area that was devastated by Hurricane [Frances] and every effort is being made to give that economy the vital lifeblood shot that is necessary for it."

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Government is to decide what level of emergency assistance to provide Bahamians stranded in the areas impacted by killer Hurricane Katrina.

"Any Bahamians stranded by the storm, if they have no money or possessions, our office would be able to assist to the extent to those resources being made available," [Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Public Service the Hon. Fred Mitchell] said.

Mr. Mitchell also said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Government, conveyed by diplomatic note, "its condolences and expressed its grief to the Government and people of the United States for the tremendous loss it suffered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina."

He said residents of Grand Bahama will remember the destructive effects of the hurricane in the three US States, having suffered similar destruction themselves last year.

"We want the people of the United States to know that this is a situation we understand well," Mr. Mitchell said. "It is one which we empathised with and we have a general concern for all people who have been affected adversely by this storm."

He said his Ministry does not have a register of Bahamians residing in those areas, but those likely to be impacted by the storm are either students or tourists. He said a number of Bahamians were attending a Masons convention in Biloxi, Mississippi, when the hurricane struck.

Mr. Mitchell urged Bahamian citizens everywhere, whether students, tourists or residents in the United States, to register with the nearest Bahamas Consulate or The Bahamas Embassy in Washington D.C.

"It gives us a ready means of tracking who is where and helps us in emergencies of this kind to try and find people and to assist their families," he said. "Obviously, the hurricane has had a devastating effect on New Orleans, and we know that there is at least one Bahamian student who is in the Super Dome (persons are being relocated to Houston's Astrodome)."

He said the Government has contacted its Tourism Office in Houston, which could be a point of contact for Bahamians.

Additionally, The Bahamas Ambassador to Washington His Excellency Joshua Sears was briefed by the US State Department on the widespread impact, and has urged people to stay away from the area to allow emergency organisations to conduct early rescue recovery efforts.

"The Bahamas Embassy in Washington, along with other foreign embassies, would be kept informed as regarding Bahamians," Mr. Mitchell said. "What is important is that information ought to be provided to the Washington Embassy and the Counsulate in Miami, which is responsible for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana."

"It is important that either Washington or Miami be notified of any relatives that people are concerned about or family or friends. They should provide as much details as they possibly can, certainly names, next of kin, passport numbers, their exact location and what institution they attend," he added.

He said there is likely to be scores of Bahamians impacted by the storm, as many are enrolled in top universities in Louisiana. However, the Government would only be aware of them if relatives provide information.

Mr. Mitchell said there have been no reports of injury to Bahamians incarcerated in the affected US States.

Mr. Mitchell credited the United States for being "pretty well organised" in its relief efforts.

Persons are asked to contact the following places to provide or obtain information: Washington D.C., 202-319-3660, Ext 613; Miami Consulate, 305-373-6295; Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Houston, 281-275-4242; the Red Cross 1(800) 229-8191 or email: redcross.org; FEMA Louisiana (www.lsp.org/emergency) or Mississippi (www.msema.org.)

FREEPORT –The Vita Malt Thunderbird (7 points), sailed to victory over Fugitive (6 points), Grand Bahama's Lady Ruthnell (5 Points); defending 'C' Class champ from the last G.B. Regatta, Sacrifice (4 points); Mouth Stache (3 points); Lady Michelle (2 points), and Queen Vrigetta (1 Point) as the Grand Bahama Regatta returned to the waters off Taino Beach after a year of inactivity.
"There's going to be war in the waters off Grand Bahama, especially in the 'C' Class" said organizer and Co-Chairman, Carnard Bethel who noted that there is an exciting programme ahead for the Grand Bahama Regatta 2005 under the theme: 'Sailing on Sea, Culture on Shore'.


The official opening ceremony and Skippers' Party took place Friday night at Tranquility Shores Restaurant on Taino Beach.
The regatta site has been described as nice and wonderful by Rev. Dr. Phillip McPhee who said that as long as the weather stays fair they would have good racing.
Dr. McPhee, who is Commodore of the Bahamas Boat Owners Sailing Association, said Grand Bahama has always been a good regatta for the association in terms of the accommodation and the administration of the regatta. And sailors were always excited to come to compete in Grand Bahama.
"Because," stated Dr. McPhee, "we were treated top-class, and everything went very well. And one of our main reasons for coming here (to Grand Bahama) is because of the way we were treated."
Dr. McPhee said on this occasion they have four boats in the 'A' Class, four in the 'B' Class, and seven in the 'C' Class.
He said in the 'A' Class the top boats are the New Courageous, certainly the boat to watch, along with Red Stripe, the 2004 Boat of the Year; Southern Cross is leading for Boat of The Year this year, and then you have The Lucayan Lady, which is predominantly a Grand Bahama boat.
He added, "In the B Class you have the Eudeva, Cobra, Passion, and Heath Cliff. Incidentally Heath Cliff is in second place for Boat of The Year at this present time and this regatta might put him over the top.
"The C Class will probably be the most exciting class because you have at least five of the top C Class boats in the nation here in Sacrifice, Fugitive, Vita Malt Thunderbird, a brand new boat; and Lady Ruthnell, a Grand Bahama boat owned by Oscar Porter. Then there is Lady Michelle, another Grand Bahama boat and a brand new boat; and you also have the Acklins' Mouth Stache coming for the first time, and Queen Vrigetta. So you have at least five top boats in this fleet. And I think that is really the talk of the regatta – the C Class division – and I think they will probably showcase more talent than any other division.


Did Dr. McPhee expect a good time at the regatta?
"Oh, yes!" he responded. "Grand Bahama has always been good to us in sailing and whenever we come here we are treated as kings, we walk around as kings, and we eat and drink as kings, an this is good for us, and I made it my point to make sure that this regatta came off.
"I want you to know that it was not easy to get these boats here. But every one of these boats came because I insisted that they give Grand Bahama another opportunity. I thank all the sailors who believe in me, trusted my word, and some came just on my word alone all the way from Exuma and Long Island; believing that I would see to it that things this time around does not fall in any way to hurt regatta sailing in our country.
"So I personally want to thank all of those who believed in me and trusted me to put faith in this new committee: Mr. Canard (Bethel) and Harold (McPhee). I believe they have learned a lesson and I think from here on in Grand Bahama will get back to its rightful position in the schedule of regattas."
Mr. Bethel said they were glad to have the barge in port with four 'A' Class boats, four 'B' class boats and seven 'C' class boats and they were looking for a great time as the weather promises to be good, the tide favourable, and so they are looking forward to a great time.
"So," said Mr. Bethel, "we want everybody out here (at Taino Beach) this weekend to enjoy himself or herself and bring this regatta back full-time."