The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

IN recent times, there has been much debate about the establishment and operations of massive Data Centers all over the world, but especially over in the USA. In a nutshell, Data Centres are specially designed and constructed buildings where huge amounts of data and information are stored on drives and servers. Critical data as it relates to:  the internet; Facebook; chatbots; cellular telephones; electronic devices; and governmental information. 

A significant number of cities and states over in the USA have strenuously objected to the construction of such storage facilities in their backyard. Critics refer to the large amounts of water required to cool components of the system; huge amounts of electricity, often off the residential grid; noise pollution, as those sites run 24x7; and collateral damage such as raising scarce land prices beyond the reach of many. However, some local politicians have actively promoted the same as job creators and a catalyst for economic growth.

At the recent CARICOM Summit, the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, with great fanfare, announced the signing of agreements with firms based in the USA to design, construct and manage at least two data centres.  She went on to embellish those projects by pointing out that they are expected to contribute a minimum of 5,000 well-paying jobs and other financial opportunities. Can you imagine, Editor, what that number of possible or even more jobs does for our economic bottom line and Sovereign Fund?

Andros, our biggest island in terms of land mass, would be ideal, in my view, for the development and construction of three or four such sites. Andros, Oh my Andros, has been neglected, like the fabled stepchild has been neglected by all politicians and most business entrepreneurs from the days of Columbus. Less than 15 short minutes away from New Providence, Andros would be the perfect location for data centres. That Island has water gone to bed. Sparsely populated areas; abundant land on which to build the necessary on-site electrical generation and, of course, little or no noise pollution. Any surplus electricity could be donated or sold to BPL. A win/win situation for The Bahamas and the USA.

Once laws and regulations are promulgated, I would urge the Hon Sebas Bastian (PLP-Fort Charlotte), Minister of Innovation & Technology, to launch a USA and worldwide search for prospective investors, foreign and local, where possible, for the construction and development of the data centres. With this development would come a need for housing for both Bahamian and foreign workers. 

The construction industry in Andros would see rapid growth; the hospitality business, such as restaurants and bars; hotels; entertainment; domestic and residential maid /housekeeping services; the creation and expansion of small settlements and even a new city. Don’t forget that where there are people, they will need churches and other places of worship. The Sky is, literally, the limit.

Over 12 years ago, I was privileged to have been employed at the Then Ministry of Housing & Social Services as a Consultant, thanks to former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham. One of our ‘better’ and progressive Prime Ministers. The now Most Honourable, Algernon SPB Allen, served as Minister of Housing et al at that time. 

I strongly urged him and the PM to consider the possibility of establishing a minimum of 5,000 building lots in the Mangrove Cay area of Andros and possibly name it The New Jerusalem. There are, to this very day, about 500 or so of those lots in Andros, fully serviced and just sitting down over there doing absolutely nothing! The time is now for the Hon Minister Keith Bell (PLP-Carmichael), Minister of Housing & Land Reform, to come up with an aggressive and sensible plan for the release/sale of those lots to prepare the groundwork for Bahamians to be able to relocate to that island in anticipation of the inevitable data centres. To God then, in all things, be the glory!!  

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

July 22, 2026..