The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

LONG Island will be "dead in the water" if it does not get the necessary airlift, a private sector representative has warned, although there remains reason for optimism over its rebound.

Romona Ritchie-Taylor, vice-president of the Long Island Chamber of Commerce, told Tribune Business that despite a "stagnant" economy there were grounds for hope if several investment projects materialise.

"The economy is pretty much stagnant at the moment. If anything does materialise it would be really good for Long Island," she said. "There is a lot of talk right now about the Port St George project.

"If the Port St George project comes along that could be huge for this island's economy. There are a few other not-so-large projects I'm hearing about. I think Long Island is at a tipping point now. We are on the verge of something. I think we can feel it. I believe that. I think it's an exciting time to be in Long Island. I'm hopeful, I will put it like that.

"We really need a boost for the economy. As it stands now, if something doesn't change and quickly, you can write us off. You have so many people leaving the island and having to go and look for work."

The Port St George project, which has been stalled for a decade, was recently said to have been given new life. Star Resort Group Inc, in a statement announcing plans for a five-star hotel and spa, 515 luxury homes and a 640-berth marina, described the mixed-use development as the first "eco-engineered luxury waterfront destination" spanning from "coast to coast", featuring a 100-acre protected harbour and an 18-hole golf course. The project was first unveiled back in 2008.

Mrs Taylor stressed, though, that the island needs airlift if its economy is to be viable. "If we don't have an international airport with the airlift, we're dead in the water," she said. "The tourists want to come here. I'm in the hospitality industry. I have cottages and villas that I rent, and one of the things people complain about is getting here.

"It's expensive and sometimes difficult, depending on where you're coming from. A lot of tourists who travel to the islands don't like to spend any time in Nassau. They want direct flights. They come from further away, have deeper pockets, stay for longer and put more into the local economy than the average visitor who comes to Nassau for a week."

Mario Cartwright, a director at the Long Island Chamber of Commerce, told Tribune Business that plans to improve the island's major airport gateway, as highlighted by its MP, Adrian Gibson, could be major plus.

"It's still the young and old here. Most middle-aged working class people have to live in Nassau, Freeport or overseas," he added. "Hurricane Joaquin three years ago really set us back. I don't know if people really appreciate the devastation we experienced here. That pushed us back 20 years.

"We're trying to bounce back. There is still a lot to be done. We need to get the infrastructure in place to attract those who left and to bring in new people and new investment."