The $19-million government complex in Freeport, Grand Bahama, is well into the construction phase, with the majority of the office building nearing completion. The 65,000 sq ft facility will house various government departments and is scheduled for completion by August 2011.

The construction is being carried out by FES Construction Co Ltd.

“The complex will create 250 new jobs in the construction sector all told and spin-off effects for the wider community,” according to Minister of State for Finance in the Ministry of Finance Zhivargo Laing.

It is hoped that the new buildings will help shift some of the government’s administrative duties to the nation’s second city.

“At the moment the government has a kind of branch mentality when it comes to Freeport and Grand Bahama,” says K Peter Turnquest, president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce. “We are hopeful this will help change that, but there are practical considerations. What we need is true local government.”