The Small Business Development Centre awarded 14 women-owned businesses in Grand Bahama with $100,000 in grant funding under the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative Programme. Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey congratulated the honourees for their achievement at the awards presentation in the COLLAB Centre on Thursday, September 5, 2024. 

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — Dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs with a special focus on empowering women, the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) awarded 14 Grand Bahama female entrepreneurs $100,000 in grant funding.

The grant is a part of the SBDC’s 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative which has awarded more than $600,000 to 83 female entrepreneurs throughout The Bahamas, from Grand Bahama to Inagua.

The Grand Bahama recipients were awarded at a press conference at the COLLAB Centre, September 5, 2024.

The women-led businesses range from beauty services to educational and entertainment ventures which are vital to the fabric of Grand Bahama’s economy.

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey congratulated the female entrepreneurs who demonstrated remarkable innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, and underwent eight sessions of the Digital Divas Course.

“This grant is not just about providing financial support, it’s about recognizing women’s contribution to our economy, the incredible potential of female entrepreneurs and creating an environment to drive innovation among Bahamian women,” she said.

Minister Moxey noted that the government has demonstrated its commitment to empowering Bahamians by consistently allocating budget funding for small business development and launching initiatives to assist businesses operating in the blue, green and orange economies -- to give small business owners support and remove the bureaucracy that limits access to funding.

“I extend my gratitude again to Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre for their vision and commitment to fostering the growth of women entrepreneurs in Grand Bahama and throughout The Bahamas,” she said.

SBDC Executive Director Samantha Rolle, while commending the female bosses for their steadfastness and assuring them that they are the lifeblood of the economy, revealed that the SBDC has made it a priority to address the need for greater impact for Grand Bahama by enhancing its team on the ground to ensure that its programmes, resources and support are accessible and effective.

“You are the daughters, the mothers, the sisters, the friends – you are the ones that are helping to shape our future generations.  And so today we celebrate your tenacity, your vision, your drive, your contribution to the future of Grand Bahama,” she said.

Acknowledging that the future of entrepreneurship in Grand Bahama is bright, Rolle is excited about the island’s prospects.

“As leaders, as innovators and change makers in our community, I look forward to the impact you are poised to make. Use your experience in this Programme as a springboard for new opportunities as entrepreneurs.”

Small Business Development Centre Executive Director Samantha Rolle encouraged 14 Grand Bahama grant recipients of the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative at an awards presentation in the COLLAB Centre, Thursday, September 5, 2024 to use their experience in the programme as a springboard for new opportunities.

The 14 Grand Bahama recipients of the Small Business Development Centre’s 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative were awarded $100,000 in grants at the COLLAB Centre on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

(BIS Photos/Lisa Davis)