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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

BAIC owns and administers one of the largest portfolios of property in The Bahamas. These properties are located in New Providence, Eleuthera, Abaco, Grand Bahama and Andros. The Property Management Department is also responsible for the allocation of land to assist business persons or entrepreneurs in the development of farming and agro-industrial projects.

New Providence Properties

The Soldier Road Industrial Park
 

The Soldier Road Industrial Park comprises approximately 38 acres and was established in 1969 in an effort to establish an industrial base and incubator for local manufacturing companies at concessionary rates. The Park is presently home to approximately 19 businesses that utilize factory space and land who provide the local market with the following: corrugated boxes, paper products, wood carving, cabinetry & carpentry supplies, plastic & PVC pipes, portable water, ice, wood furniture, Bahamian crafts and souvenirs, salt and footwear.
 

The Gladstone Road Agro-Industrial Park
 

This Park comprises 100 acres of land identified for the development of agro-industrial projects. Business outlets operating in this Park provide the following services to the local market: hair manufacturing, meat products, tropical plants for landscaping, garment manufacturing, fruits and vegetables, furniture making and upholstery and heavy equipment operations.
The Depots/Milk Stands
BAIC currently administers eleven (11) milk stands throughout New Providence which are currently being utilized as take-away restaurants.

BahamaCraft Centre
 

The BahamaCraft Centre, located on Paradise Island, was established in March 1999 to provide a venue for Bahamian artisans to display and sell their Bahamian-made craft and souvenir items. The Centre opened with 100 stalls, 84 of which were occupied. Today, the BahamaCraft Centre has tenancy of 85 clients who provide straw, shell and coconut souvenirs and jewelry; Bahamian-made t-shirts and wraps, wood carvings, crochet and knitted items and glassware to both tourists and the general public.

Eleuthera

In 1975, the Government of The Bahamas purchased the assets of the Harrisville Company and its subsidiaries. Of this purchase approximately 800 acres of land has been vested in the Corporation. During 2007, the Corporation launched the opening of the Eleuthera Agro-Industrial Park, located in Hatchet Bay. Recently the Park was zoned with initial focus on businesses, farming and agro-industrial projects. Additional surveying of the land is envisaged with a view to provide 1-2 acre parcels for lease to entrepreneurs for immediate development. It is hoped that the zoning projects augurs well for the economy of Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera.

Abaco

Norman’s Castle and Spring City
 

BAIC’s Office in Abaco oversees the Corporation’s land portfolio in Abaco. The Corporation has acquired farmland in the two areas mentioned. The application process has been completed and approved. These properties will provide financial and employment opportunities for approximately 300 prospective farmers on the island. Applicants receiving Lease Agreements will be required to develop the land and commence production with immediate effect. The handing over of leases to the applicants will be an historic event in that BAIC will endeavour to provide much needed technical assistance, latest farming technology and training opportunities through newly formed Associations. The Abaco Farmers Association was established to assist the Corporation in monitoring the types of crops under production and guide the novice farmer on the best practices so that a variety of crops are produced.

Site Inspections will be conducted in these areas on a regular basis and as such, BAIC will upgrade the roads leading to the farms, in particular to the Norman’s Castle area.

Abaco Farmers Market Craft Centre, Community Centre
 

The site of the proposed facilities has been the centre of attraction for many community based activities. Once this site has been properly developed it will serve as the cultural Mecca of Abaco. BAIC has done a yeoman’s job in paving the grounds and all electrical services have been installed, which means that the Park can be used for day and night functions.

Grand Bahama

BAIC’s Freeport Office oversees all initiatives undertaken by the Corporation on the island of Grand Bahama. The Corporation has granted a long-term lease of approximately 828 acres of land with Administrative Building in Freeport to South Riding Point/Statoil Hydro ASA. Currently, this venture is one of the Corporation’s major revenue generators.

During 2010, BAIC in conjunction with the Grand Bahama Port Authority has collaborated to construct and open the Freeport Craft Training and Marketing Centre which will facilitate the training of locals in the art of straw, shell, coconut crafts and will additionally assist them in the marketing and distribution of their handiwork.

Andros

North Andros Agricultural Initiatives
 

BAIC’s Office located in Nicholl’s Town is the facilitator of BAIC’s initiatives on that island. Due to the renewed interest of international and Bahamian farming enthusiasts to seek land for agricultural development in the former BARTAD and Satellite Farm areas, the Corporation has leased several acres of Crown Land to establish satellite farming communities. An assessment of the applications concentrates on vegetables and livestock production. Due to the excellent infrastructure, potable water and conducive soil texture, North Andros remains the primary location for the farming community.

North Andros Agro-Industrial Park
 

During November 2009 the Corporation received a Lease Agreement from the Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources for twenty-three (23) acres of agricultural land. This Park comprises ten parcels of approximately two acres of land for the development of agro-business and industrialized type projects which range from dog breeding, concrete blocks, blind and window manufacturing, agro-processing and agricultural supplies. Interested applicants must be project-ready and have the financial capacity to commence immediately. The main criteria for all applicants were that projects must be financially capable and “shovel ready.”

The North Andros Agro-Industrial Park must be carefully monitored by the Corporation. While the Park could be an overall success, if the businesses failed to set up their operations within a specified time, it is incumbent that the Corporation steps in to re-assign the lots to other prospective applicants.

Of equal importance is that the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) who has been providing technical assistance and guidance on farming matters to BAIC has assisted the Corporation in setting up a greenhouse in the Park. It is envisaged that the North Andros High School would incorporate training programmes at the facility and Graduate students from the Forfar International School could also participate in research studies.

Refrigerated 20 Foot Containers
 

In 2008, two (2) 20” Refrigerated Containers/trailers were purchased for North Andros to improve the transportation of produce throughout the islands. These trailers are rented on a day-to-day basis and have been a huge success. They were featured prominently at the recent Agro-Business Fair in North Andros in March of this year. The first maiden voyage to Nassau was launched in January 2010, laden with vegetables during a visit to Andros by the Board of Directors.

With increased services on the Fast Ferries and The Bohengy, the Corporation hopes that the Containers can be used throughout the Family Islands. Carefully packaged vegetables and fruits in the Containers can depart Andros in the morning and arrive in Eleuthera, Exuma and Abaco on the same or next day.

Exuma

The Corporation opened its Exuma Office during the 2009/2010 fiscal year. BAIC is fast becoming a household name and the farmers have come together to form the Exuma Farmers Association (EFA). BAIC has provided valuable and timely assistance to the Exumian farming community via its Land Clearing Programme; the grant of funds toward the establishment of their Farm Supplies Store; and technical assistance in the restoration of potato and citrus cultivation to the island. The Corporation has also provided one of the local schools with a greenhouse to encourage the training of high school students in the area of agriculture. Strawcraft and shell training programmes have also been held to train Exumians in the art of straw and shell work. These efforts will continue during 2010/2011 and going forward.

New Farming Community Concept
During the first quarter of 2010, the Property Management Department has interviewed more than ten (10) persons who are actively pursuing land in the area where the Satellite Farms are located. The applicants seem to have been drawn to the success of the farming and housing concept, whereby the farmer is able to reside on the farm and grow an impressive lime and lemon orchard.

This concept appeals to the persons who have retired and younger women who, for safety reasons, want to build a farm-house and be able to farm. In preparation for the distribution of land in this area, it is the desire of BAIC to produce an artist’s rendition of a “farm-house” model so that interested farmers are acutely aware of the housing criteria.

Land Availability

BAIC-Owned Property:
 

New Providence

The Corporation has available properties at:

• Paradise Island (Bahamas Craft Center).
• Gladstone Road and Fire Trail Road.
• Approximately 100 acres have been identified for agricultural, mari-cultural and manufacturing purposes.
• Factory space is available at Soldier Road Industrial Park (SRIP).

These industrial spaces are leased at concessionary rates for entrepreneurs.

The Family Islands

The current property holdings of Corporation on the Family Islands are:

• An oil transshipment terminal and deep water harbor, East End, Grand Bahama.
• Depots, (formerly Hatchet Bay Milk Stands) in New Providence
• Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera properties for development
• Spring City, Abaco properties for development