The proposed Destiny Special Sustainability Zone is the big story on Nevis. Everyone has their take on the developer and their plans; that was clear for all to see in the recent Town Hall. No one disagrees that life on our island needs improvement. In this way, we all share the same goal.

Nevisians have always punched above our weight. We are a premium tourist destination – that’s our forte. The quality of our small businesses, from hospitality to building firms and more is not in doubt. Our financial and legal services are some of the Caribbean’s finest.

But these strengths don’t take care of all our wants and needs. On Nevis, we need better public infrastructure. An upgraded Alexandra Hospital; better roads; the
development of the port. Things have been improving but it’s never fast enough, right?

That’s why Destiny has caught so many people’s attention. Because those guys have put a lot down on the table. Their website says ‘thousands of jobs’ will be delivered during the zone’s construction and in permanent sectors like hospitality, services, and technology.

I have friends and family that are already asking themselves: how can I position myself to benefit? What skills or qualifications must I secure? Lots of fellow Nevisians are already thinking of how the Zone will be beneficial to them. That’s the right approach to change.

When it comes to investment, Destiny says USD $50 million will be invested in Nevis’ infrastructure. That includes the hospital and health centres. Then it’s up to the Nevis Island Administration to decide where the remaining funds go. Again, those sums read like opportunity to me.

Lots of that money will go to contractors and service providers. If I were a plumber or a roofer, let’s say, I’d be on Destiny’s site to throw my hat into the ring. This is big business, folks!

And let’s not forget the educational angle. I was particularly impressed by the proposed scholarship program for Nevisians. Destiny has pledged $1 million, that’s US, not EC every year. That begins immediately, they say, and will continue every year. There are lots of smart youth on Nevis, or as my good friend would say, “Nevis people bright”. They will see this offer and be excited. Maybe they worry about future student debt or the financial strain of studies on their family. This scholarship fund is a lifeline in that sense.

The scholarship will be a boost to vocational students too. That means hard skills for Nevisians and Nevis, which we need if we want to expand beyond tourism and services. In all, it would be a major competitive advantage for Nevisians to have free access to the best higher education in the world.

If these youth eventually come back to Nevis, we benefit from their skills. If they stay abroad, they’ll send money back here; or I hope so! I think a lot of the debate about Destiny has become complicated. There’s a lot of misinformation and outright lies which are impacting the debate or lack of thereof.