THERE are 24 potential foreign investment projects on the table for Exuma, which if approved and implemented could inject $1.4 billion in capital inflows into the island's economy, creating 4,000 jobs at full development - a figure equal to the island's current population.

Speaking at the second annual Exuma Business Outlook, Minister of Works and Transport, Earl Deveaux told Exumians that the challenge will then be to avoid the problems that resulted with the development of the Four Seasons Emerald Bay Resort, where the island's infrastructure and workforce did not match the resort's pace.

Despite this and the fact the resort, considered to be the 'poster boy' for the so-called Family Island anchor project strategy, remains in receivership after a potential sale to a New York-based private equity firm fell through, Mr Deveaux did not feel it had been a mistake for the Government and developers to bring the property to the island.

"The resort at Emerald Bay has had a significant impact on Exuma, and this dynamic impact will continue to impact the island. We thought that we were doing a great thing in approving the Four Seasons for Exuma, we looked at the wonderful beach and site, and the need for economic growth," Mr Deveaux said. "But throughout the discussions. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace [ex-tourism director-general] kept harping on the theme of the shortage of labour and the need'for social integration."

Mr Deveaux did point out that while there was a casino, managed by Pinnacle Entertainment, at the Emerald Bay property, the question had to be asked if it was appropriate for Exuma. "If the casino license was demanded by the development, and we wanted the development, and we did not have sense to know that Exuma could not support 24-hour gambling because they did not have the population or the airlift or the infrastructure, if we did not know it then, then we know it today," Mr Deveaux said, "and the person seeking to buy it has to realise it and maybe the hotel will change.
I am not saying that the place is going to come to a standstill. I am asking you to accept that sometimes what you do today has to make sense tomorrow."

Challenges

However, Mr Deveaux said that despite these challenges, Emerald Bay is still good for Exuma. "I don't want to leave this room with the impression that we are reversing our decision or feel differently about Emerald Bay. I would do the same thing again. Emerald Bay got approval for a hotel, a casino. marina and golf course, and a number of other things, but the labour demand required thinking people to realise that the population of Exuma was going to grow by more than 50 per cent just to accommodate that," the minister added.

However, Mr Deveaux. said that in moving forward with other projects, the scale of development approved and contemplated for Exuma must be carefully managed for environmental and social sustainabilty. He also warned Exumians that they must be careful as they continue to plan their own communities.

He warned that if the current practice on Exuma continues of building in front of sea vistas and blocking sea views, in five years there will be social tensions. "You are responsible for it, you are building it and you are planning it. You are approving it. The wetlands in Exuma that used to be the shag ponds for growing onions, have houses on them now. That is the natural draining system and you are building on it. See it and stop," Mr Deveaux said.

Source: The Tribune