The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, Freeport/Lucaya, Bahamas schools, health services, history

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box F-40808, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
Telephone: (242) 352-8329

Grand Bahama
ON THE MOVE

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Schools

Schools in Grand Bahama are operated by Government, Private Ownership and by churches. From kindergarten to night school, education provided includes a combination of British and American methods which help to prepare students for colleges in the U.K., Canada, US and the West Indies. Attendance in government schools is free. Private institutions fees range from $450.00 to $2,500.00 per term; there are 8 private high schools on the island. There are 14 government schools and 4 special schools. There are three colleges on Grand Bahama.

Several facilities offer vocational training. The College of The Bahamas provides associate degrees in addition to various subjects from languages to home-care, etc.

The Bahamas Hotel Training College offers Hotel Industry related courses.

In general, university level education is normally pursued abroad.

Health Services

There is one major hospital on Grand Bahama Island. In addition to the Rand Memorial Hospital, a 103 bed facility, there are four Private Clinics that have Physicians available in the following fields of medicine: General Medicine, Orthopedic Surgeons, Urology, Optometry, Gynecology, Surgeons, Psychiatrists, Dentists and Dermatology within the Freeport area.

There are several smaller clinics in some of the settlements. There are also two Optical Centres and three Private Dental Clinics. Grand Bahama Island also has the Immuno Research Centre Bahamas Limited which provides service to cancer patients world-wide.

History

The Guanahataby followed by the Lucayan Indians were the original inhabitants of Grand Bahama. The Lucayans were found here by the first European explorers, the Spaniards, but soon became extinct due to slavery and disease.

English explorers who had settled in the northeast United States found Grand Bahama Island in the early 1500's and later under England claimed The Bahamas in 1629.

The first settlements on the island were Eight Mile Rock and Freetown. Fishing, farming, wrecking (searching for sunken treasures), lumber, stock raising were the mainstay for these early setterers.

Lumber developed into a major industry in the 1940'2 when Abaco Lumber Company moved to Grand Bahama Island. It was at this time Wallace Groves, a Virginia financier, took over the business and became one of the largest employers on the island. The city of Pine Ridge emerged and became the largest on the island.

After the dormant period following the days of prohibition, West End burst into a centre of activity with the introduction of the 'Butlins Vacation Village' marking the advent of the tourism industry for Grand Bahama Island.

After much success with the Abaco Lumber Company on Grand Bahama Island, Wallace Groves, through an agreement with the Bahamian Government, introduced the concept of 'Free Port' as a means of attracting commercial and industrial interests to Grand Bahama Island. A popular term in the Caribbean at the time, the idea of a 'Free Port' would allow investors to conduct business transactions duty free or tax free. At the time shipping was a major means of transportation, so in addition to developing a city the Port Authority, Wallace Groves' company, would also build a deep water harbour. Some 150,000 acres of land was leased for development of this venture.

The Government of The Bahamas would receive some 7.5 per cent share in the operations of the Port through the agreement. Several adjustments would be made in negotiations of this agreement known as the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, and, in the final analysis, the Port would be responsible for developing tourism, commercial and private industry, residential development and an infrastructure including an airport, deep water harbour, schools, clinics, etc.

Electricity

Power supply is very reliable in Grand Bahama Grand Bahama Power Company provides electricity to Freeport/Lucaya and the rest of the island.

Electricity costs are as follows: Residential (RS): 12.5 cents per kilowatt hour for the first 800 kwh; 14.0 centers thereafter, minimum monthly charges of $6.50. Commercial (CS): Demand charge of first 5 kilovolt-tamperas (Kva) of monthly demand or less at $30.00 plus additional Kva of monthly maximum demand at $6.00 per Kva. Energy charge 12 cents per kWh

General Service (GS): Demand change first Kva of monthly demand or less $180.00, plus additional Kva of monthly demand at $6.00 per Kva. Hotels & Large Industries (GSL: Subject to a 5 year contract. Demand charge each Kva of monthly maximum demand $6.00. Energy charge - first 100,000 kWh at 10 cents per kWh, next 400,000 kWh at 9.8 cents per kWh, additional kWh at 9 cents.

Fuel Surcharge/Credit: is assessed on all customers and is based on fuel delivered into storage at the company's power plant, in relation to a base price of $20.00 per U.S. gallon barrel.

Available Voltages & Frequencies: 3 Phase 4 wire wye 208/210 Volts, 60 cycles, 3 Phase 4 wire Delta, 240120 Volts, 60 cycles. 1 Phase 3 wire 2410/120 Volts, 60 cycles 3 Phasse 4 wire wye, 480/277 Volts 60 cycles.