Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Grand Bahama
The Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) has awarded $100,000 in grant funding to 14 women-owned businesses in Grand Bahama under the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative Programme. The Honorable Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama, congratulated the honorees at an awards presentation held at the COLLAB Centre on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
The grant is 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 held at the COLLAB Centre, also on 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. These entrepreneurs demonstrated remarkable innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, and underwent eight sessions of the Digital Divas Course.
In her remarks, Minister Moxey emphasized that this grant is not just about providing financial support, but also about recognizing women’s contribution to the economy and creating an environment to drive innovation among Bahamian women. She noted that the government has consistently allocated budget funding for small business development and launched initiatives to assist businesses operating in the blue, green, and orange economies.
Grant recipients were awarded at the COLLAB Centre
"The Digital Divas Course equipped me with the skills I needed to take my business to the next level. This grant is a great incentive to continue growing my company," said one of the grant recipients.
Samantha Rolle, SBDC Executive Director, commended the female entrepreneurs for their steadfastness and assured them that they are the lifeblood of the economy. She revealed that the SBDC has enhanced its team on the ground to ensure that its programmes, resources, and support are accessible and effective.
The future of entrepreneurship in Grand Bahama is bright, and 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," she said.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the SBDC’s 2024 Women Entrepreneurs Initiative?
The initiative aims to support and empower women entrepreneurs by providing grant funding, mentorship, and access to resources and networks. - How many grants have been awarded under this initiative?
More than 600,000 have been awarded to 83 female entrepreneurs throughout The Bahamas. - What kind of businesses are eligible for this grant?
Women-led businesses from various sectors, including beauty services, education, entertainment, and more. - What is the next step for the SBDC in Grand Bahama?
The SBDC has enhanced its team on the ground to ensure that its programmes, resources, and support are accessible and effective, and is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs in the community.