In a press release shared on May 8th, Carnival Corporation has disclosed that over 85% of the companies contracted to work at the construction site are Grand Bahamian, a reflection of the company’s commitment to local empowerment and fostering sustainable partnerships with the community.
To date, more than 180 Bahamians from various islands are actively engaged in the construction phase with 29 of the 31 companies on site being Bahamian.
Lionel Jervis, project manager for KFL Construction, said: “Carnival has really demonstrated its belief in Grand Bahamians. Local companies are working on all aspects of this development, giving us a unique opportunity to employ so many local people. We are all gaining invaluable experience on a groundbreaking project, working together to build something that will be extremely impactful for the future of Grand Bahama.”
With its recently announced $100 million pier extension, the now $600 million Celebration Key cruise port is poised to make a significant economic impact on the community of Grand Bahama. Beyond construction, opportunities for Bahamians in direct and indirect employment are available in several areas including food and beverage, retail, shore excursions, transportation and subcontracting services.
As part of Carnival’s commitment to sustainable partnerships, at least 75% of outlets at Celebration Key will be owned and operated by Bahamians. This represents a substantial opportunity for local businesses, with up to 70 restaurants and retail outlets of various sizes set to be established. The project will generate over 700 permanent jobs in Grand Bahama, including approximately 300 Bahamians hired directly by Carnival Corporation to help welcome 2.2 million guests each year to Grand Bahama starting in 2025.
Throughout the construction phase, Carnival Corporation’s dedication to safety remains paramount, with rigorous protocols in place to safeguard the well-being of all workers, as emphasized by Bahamian Lilith Hanna, Safety Manager for the construction site.
“We maintain the highest safety standards for all workers at Celebration Key,” Hanna said. “Our comprehensive protocols are designed to minimize the risk of injury to workers and create a safe and secure environment in which to undertake this work.”
The various Bahamian companies working at the site have been assigned projects that work to their particular strengths. The latest local contractor to come aboard is Island Site Development, which boasts a great deal of experience in delivering food and beverage facilities at developments around The Bahamas and across the Caribbean.
Carnival Corporation has also set up a digital portal for contractors and skilled laborers who many not have their own company but possess skills and experience that would make them an asset to the project.
Armando Corpas, Associate Vice President of Destinations Development, expressed admiration for the talent and skill exhibited by Grand Bahamians, stating: “The Grand Bahama community has simply amazed us. There is such a wealth of talent and skill on the island. We want to make sure we are doing everything we can to maximize the participation of Bahamians in general, and Grand Bahamians in particular, in every aspect of this project.”
