The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

Mayaguana residents are voicing concerns that outsiders will benefit more than locals from the latest development plans for the island, adding that land ownership disputes and limited access to financing threaten their ability to capitalise on future investments.

The concerns emerged during a Town Hall meeting held as consultants finalise a long-term development plan for Mayaguana, with residents repeatedly stressing that local entrepreneurs must be equipped to own businesses and supply services rather than simply work for outside investors.

One resident argued the community needs to shift away from a "looking for me a job" mentality, and instead be encouraged to establish businesses that can benefit from new developments.

"We still have the level of ‘looking for me a job’ when we should be initiating our business," he said. "We have to encourage more persons to come set up business."

However, participants said one of the biggest obstacles to local entrepreneurship remains the inability of many residents to obtain clear title to land. One noted that unresolved land ownership issues directly affect residents' ability to secure financing for larger business ventures.

"Through SBDC, in most cases grant funding is only up to $10,000,” she said. "But if you're talking about accessing $100,000 or $250,000 for some Airbnbs or for a car rental business, the banks are going to want to know that you legitimately own the land, so you can't access funding for your business if you don't own the land."

She added that one of the central questions facing the community is "how do you put the pressure on the Government to give you the land ownership so that you can qualify for significant funding opportunities?"

The discussion prompted one resident to recount his decades-long effort to obtain Crown land in Mayaguana. "I've been applying every year... for 33 years," he said. "Every year I reapply for land in Mayaguana."

He also lamented that previous investment proposals had proceeded without sufficient benefits flowing to Mayagua residents, arguing that future developments should create opportunities for persons to own franchises, supply goods and participate in the local economy rather than see those opportunities captured elsewhere.

Residents also noted that the island must better prepare its workforce before significant investment arrives.

"I would say that in terms of infrastructure we are lagging. In terms of skills we are lagging," one resident said, adding that locals need greater education, training and preparation to take advantage of future opportunities.

Others stressed the importance of attracting successful Mayaguana residents living abroad to invest their skills and capital back into the island, while encouraging more entrepreneurship among residents already living there. Some residents also questioned why they had only recently become aware of the planning process.

One attendee said she came to the meeting because she "knew nothing about it" and wanted to understand what was happening on the island, prompting organisers to explain that the committee had first focused on conducting its initial due diligence before presenting its work more broadly to the community.

Residents said resolving the island's economic challenges extends beyond producing a written development plan.

Among the key questions still facing the community are how to rebuild pride and hope, unite around a shared vision, resolve land ownership challenges and "start to prioritise and put Mayaguanians first." Participants agreed that unless those issues are addressed, the island risks being unprepared to capture the full economic benefits of future investment.