The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama Port Authority has announced the introduction of a Business Rental Assistance Programme to help displaced business licensees who suffered significant losses from Hurricane Matthew when various rented buildings were destroyed.

Deanne Seymour, financial controller of GBPA Ltd, reported that the GBPA conducted post-hurricane surveys and have identified almost 30 licensees who may be eligible for some financial benefit.

“We realise that there may be others who qualify, and we invite them to contact our customer relations department at 350-9050 or 350-9051 to find out more about the programme and whether you are eligible to receive assistance as certain conditions apply,” she said.

Mrs Seymour made the announcement during the company’s weekly meeting to update residents of restoration efforts in Freeport. She said that the company is offering a one-time $1,000 cheque to assist eligible licensees.

In order for persons to qualify for assistance, the GBPA Building and Development Services Department must have deemed the rented building unsafe to operate and communicated the same to the landlord.

The licensee must be in good standing with the GBPA, which also includes making special payment arrangements if their licence fees are in arrears.

Mrs Seymour said that the rental assistance cheque will go toward the first, last and security deposit and will be made payable to the landlord of the relocating premises. She said the offer expires on January 31.

Over the course of the past four weeks since the storm, Mrs Seymour said the GBPA has conducted almost 900 interviews with business licensees throughout Freeport.

“Through post hurricane surveys we were able to gather first hand details from business owners in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. We are pleased to report that aside from utility related matters, the majority of businesses fared well and are already on their way to recover,” she said.

She noted that within a week of the storm’s passage, many stores had already opened.

“Today we are pleased to note that the industrial bonded area, downtown, various shopping hubs within the city limit, Port Lucaya Marketplace, and Freeport Harbour are all open for business,” she added.

However, she stated that some licensees suffered terrible losses when buildings were structurally compromised, and lost equipment, inventory, and supplies, and were forced to relocate to new premises.

Mrs Seymour said that the GBPA is pleased to introduce the Business Rental Assistance Programme to financially assist those displaced businesses.

She invited those licensees to contact the customer relations department.

Nicole Colebrook, customer relations officer, also urged licensees who have received damage and intend to relocate or have relocated to contact the department.

“If your business license fee is in arrears, license fee invoices were sent out automatically and therefore for the months of October and November we do apologise if it seems insensitive to receive a billing post Hurricane Matthew. We encourage you to visit the office to discuss an affordable payment arrangement in order to receive a confirmation of your business licence status or certificate of good standing,” she said.

President Ian Rolle said the GBPA is pleased with positive reports they have received from businesses which have recovered and reopened, particularly in the tourism sector.

Mr Rolle said he got reports that vital cruise ship sites such as the Lucayan National Park, Garden of the Groves, Shannon ATV trail, Garden café, and an alternate beach site at Discovery Beach have been restored.

He also noted that there are similar positive reports from tour group Bahamas Adventure.

“Their first day of operation was a huge success - 250 guests,” he said. “The overall message that came out of this is that Matthew made them better, not bitter. They had a choice of being victim or victor; they chose to be the victor.”