National

Freeport’s Comeback Starts Here as DFBA Get’s New Board

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – The signs of a Grand Bahama revival are getting harder to ignore.

Published

8 months ago

April 24, 2025

Kendeno Knowles

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – The signs of a Grand Bahama revival are getting harder to ignore.

A booming real estate market, renewed investor interest, and a major business expo at the end of the month all point to momentum.

But many say the key to truly reclaiming Freeport’s former glory lies in rebuilding the heart of the city, Downtown.

Our News anchor Kendeno Knowles tells us, with the groundwork being laid, it just might be getting the fresh start it’s been waiting for.

Downtown Freeport isn’t what it used to be. Ask any resident and they’ll tell you, it’s seen better days. But a new wave of investments across tourism and real estate, and a new Downtown Freeport Business Association board, could help turn things around.

Derek Newbold – Chief Investment Officer, GBPA
“And so they have this unique opportunity to help bring some transformative impact to Downtown, this reshaping Downtown to be a thriving and vibrant business community.”

The Downtown Freeport Business Association has done it before, hosting annual events and pushing for change. As for its new board, GBPA Chief Investment Officer Derek Newbold says its members are expected to take things even further.

At the helm is longtime resident and businessman Ghassan Haddad, who’s lived the highs and lows of this city for over 30 years.
“Any city in the world, you call Downtown, you go outside, you see people moving, people buying. We don’t see it here. We see it more in Port Lucaya than Downtown. We need to revive more Downtown.”

Haddad and his 14-member team are now charged with making Downtown a real destination for locals, while giving visitors a reason to explore more than just the beaches.
“We need to transform to a place where we even have a nightlife, where there’s something to do after 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. in the evenings.”

And if the vision holds, with the hundreds of millions now flowing into the community, Newbold says the next five years could be transformative.
“We’ll have a Downtown where there’s diverse offerings, and we’ll have a Downtown where people enjoy going to connect, network, and simply enjoy the offerings that we have Downtown.”

Ghassan Haddad
“We have 15 great, great people, enthusiastic people. I’m looking forward to the next year, next two years, whatever we bring, and hopefully it will be a pleasant journey.”

A journey Haddad, Newbold, and many others hope will lead Downtown, and the wider Freeport area, back to the vibrant city it once was.