Colleague Ministers and Members of Parliament, Chief Councilor and other Members of the City Council, Members of the Sands Family Staff of Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is a special pleasure to join friends and family of James ‘Jimmy’ Sands to mark the official opening of the new Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company facility in Freeport, Grand Bahama, brewers of The Bahamas’ newest quality beer christened Sands Beer.
I understand that a competition to name this new beer produced many names, several tied specifically to this island, many with cultural connections to our islands. In the end, the family name appears to have fit the bill best. Sands is an old Bahamian name. Beautiful, powdery, clean white and pink sand has made our beaches world famous. It is only fitting that our new beer is called Sands!
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to take part in the ground-breaking ceremony for Phase V of the Freeport Container Transshipment Port.
I used the occasion to remind Grand Bahamians of opportunities coming on line in the economy, opportunities we should prepare ourselves to take advantage of.
I believe that spin-off business and employment opportunities for Bahamians, made possible as a result of large scale Bahamian and foreign investments in our economy, ought not to be minimized or missed by us.
I am told that back in 2005 when this brewery was still only a dream, Jimmy Sands said that the concessions available under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement together with the first rate port and transshipment facilities available here in Freeport had convinced him that this was the best location for this investment.
Of course, I believe Jimmy was also influenced by family ties to this island. Most of you will be aware that Jimmy’s mother, Patricia Sands, nee Roberts, hails from West End, Grand Bahama.
All of her children are proud Grand Bahamians who have now put their proverbial money where their mouth is in Grand Bahama. I can only add: Congratulations, well done.
I was pleased to learn that much of this project is Bahamian. The building was designed by Burton Miller. And, the contractor for the job was another Bahamian enterprise, Frecon.
I am assured however, that the state-of-the-art brewing equipment hails from that haven of beer brew masters — Germany. Indeed, a well-respected Brewtech from Hamburg, Germany, was engaged to oversee and build the actual brewing apparatus.
Among his other responsibilities will be the training of a Bahamian brew master and other staff.
I understand that the brewery presently employs some 50 Bahamians directly and that a similar number are indirectly employed as a result of the brewery’s activities. This is a good shot in the arm for Freeport – for jobs are needed here in this city.
I congratulate all involved in this new venture and look forward to following your progress as you move from strength to strength.
Let me also use this occasion to extend very best wishes to all for a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
It now gives me great pleasure to declare the new Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company Facility brewers of Sands Beer, officially open.
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Remarks by Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham Prime Minister at the Official Opening of the Sands Brewery
Colleague Ministers and Members of Parliament, Chief Councilor and other Members of the City Council, Members of the Sands Family Staff of Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is a special pleasure to join friends and family of James ‘Jimmy’ Sands to mark the official opening of the new Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company facility in Freeport, Grand Bahama, brewers of The Bahamas’ newest quality beer christened Sands Beer.
I understand that a competition to name this new beer produced many names, several tied specifically to this island, many with cultural connections to our islands. In the end, the family name appears to have fit the bill best. Sands is an old Bahamian name. Beautiful, powdery, clean white and pink sand has made our beaches world famous. It is only fitting that our new beer is called Sands!
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to take part in the ground-breaking ceremony for Phase V of the Freeport Container Transshipment Port.
I used the occasion to remind Grand Bahamians of opportunities coming on line in the economy, opportunities we should prepare ourselves to take advantage of.
I believe that spin-off business and employment opportunities for Bahamians, made possible as a result of large scale Bahamian and foreign investments in our economy, ought not to be minimized or missed by us.
I am told that back in 2005 when this brewery was still only a dream, Jimmy Sands said that the concessions available under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement together with the first rate port and transshipment facilities available here in Freeport had convinced him that this was the best location for this investment.
Of course, I believe Jimmy was also influenced by family ties to this island. Most of you will be aware that Jimmy’s mother, Patricia Sands, nee Roberts, hails from West End, Grand Bahama.
All of her children are proud Grand Bahamians who have now put their proverbial money where their mouth is in Grand Bahama. I can only add: Congratulations, well done.
I was pleased to learn that much of this project is Bahamian. The building was designed by Burton Miller. And, the contractor for the job was another Bahamian enterprise, Frecon.
I am assured however, that the state-of-the-art brewing equipment hails from that haven of beer brew masters — Germany. Indeed, a well-respected Brewtech from Hamburg, Germany, was engaged to oversee and build the actual brewing apparatus.
Among his other responsibilities will be the training of a Bahamian brew master and other staff.
I understand that the brewery presently employs some 50 Bahamians directly and that a similar number are indirectly employed as a result of the brewery’s activities. This is a good shot in the arm for Freeport – for jobs are needed here in this city.
I congratulate all involved in this new venture and look forward to following your progress as you move from strength to strength.
Let me also use this occasion to extend very best wishes to all for a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
It now gives me great pleasure to declare the new Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company Facility brewers of Sands Beer, officially open.