Somerset Community Speaks Event
On Thursday, February 16th over 450 attendees, consisting of mostly Somerset residents and entrepreneurs, descended upon Sandys 360 for the Somerset Community Speaks event.
The public dialogue event was hosted by the Somerset Economic Empowerment Zone (SEEZ) and the Sandys Parish Council to jump-start the Somerset transformation process as a result of the Economic Empowerment Zone (EEZ) designation. Mr. William Spriggs, Economic Development Officer for the SEEZ, coordinated the event.
The forum started with Mr. Spriggs and Ms. Dawn Simmons, Chairperson of the Sandys Parish Council showcasing their respective organisations and team members as key supports for the initiative.
Photos of the various community groups involved in promoting the event were shown reinforcing the idea that Somerset Community Speaks was a collaborative community effort involving both the “50+” and “Young at Heart” Somerset Seniors groups. Somerset youth were also heavily involved.
Following the introduction, Minister of Economy Trade and Industry Patrice Minors welcomed everyone. She commented that “Somerset has a rich history that is embedded in the residents and businesses that currently exist in the west end of our Island. However, it is often overlooked as the jewel that it is.”
Minister Minors continued “As evidenced by the great turnout this evening, the Somerset Community, and Island as a whole, is in need of valuable experiences such as this where we not only have frank dialogue about our future opportunities, but are presented with real business opportunities that can help entrepreneurship to flourish.”
After Minister Minors’ welcoming remarks, Premier Paula Cox, saluted the attendees for coming together and being a part of the visioning process. She commented that “…coming to Somerset was like returning home for her” and that “… the solutions to Somerset’s issues and regeneration can all be found here with its residents and businesses.”
Mr. Spriggs then showcased the first 5 of the “10 Somerset Business Ventures & Ideas” namely (1) creating concessions at Long Bay and (2) Mangrove Bay Beaches; (3) upgrading Cambridge Road’s Public Wharf; (4) creating value-added tourist tour experiences; and (5) creating a Somerset-focused Visitor Information Center.
He explained that whilst these opportunities appeared to be primarily tourist-centred business ventures, upgrading them would create more vibrancy in the Mangrove, Cambridge and Long Bay area, resulting in increased economic activity and synergy between the Mangrove and Long Bay areas.
Following a review of the first 5 of 10 available opportunities in Somerset, the public was invited to engage in discussion with panel representatives Mr. Craig Burt, Department of Parks ; Mr. Donald Hassell – CEO, Country Squire Restaurant; Ms. Jasmin Smith – Acting Permanent Secretary, Department of Tourism; Mr. Michael Winfield – President, Cambridge Beaches; Ms. Pandora Glasford – Director, National Training Board; and Dr. Melvyn Bassett – Director, Sandys 360.
Mr. Hassell felt that Somerset tourist experiences needed to be created as tourists were currently being bussed straight through Somerset to Horseshoe Bay Beach or other destination. Mr. Winfield suggested that a premier reef snorkelling attraction and turtle/marine life sanctuary could be created between Cambridge and 9 Beaches.
Ms. Glasford shared that the National Training Board was open to exploring the possibilities for young people to be empowered with necessary entry level work skills and employed within Somerset businesses whether it be through a formal apprenticeship programme or otherwise.
The remaining 5 business ventures that were presented pertained to opportunities of a varied nature, including (6) retail business and (7) property development pursuits within the Manchester Street area; (8) distributorship opportunities through Thermax Bermuda; (9) creating events within Somerset’s valuable venues and creating; and (10) developing a Somerset master calendar of events.
Attendees had the opportunity to discuss the above referenced opportunities with panel representatives that included Chief Inspector Tracy Adam and Superintendent Mark Clarke, both from the Sandys Rotary and the Bermuda Police Service; Mr. Jason Hansford-Smith, Programme Manager, Department of Youth, Sport & Recreation; Ms. Beverly Simmons, Owner, Cessi’s Boutique; Ms. Cheryl Martins, Partner, Caesars Pharmacy; Mr. Leon O’Brien, Partner, Thermax Bermuda; and Mr. Norbert Simmons, Member, Loyal Irresistible Lodge.
Leon O’Brien stated that Hi-Group of Companies was looking to partner with an entrepreneur interested in setting up a Somerset Thermax business. Jason Hansford-Smith communicated that his department was looking to partner with Somerset entrepreneurs around the YES initiative at Springfield.
YES is focused on working with non-skilled young persons and matching them with veteran tradesmen to complete the porch renovation project. Beverly Simmons shared that the Scott-Sims property at Manchester Street currently has retail and office vacancies and that she would be interested in speaking to any entrepreneurs looking to expand or set-up new businesses in Somerset.
After the discussion of the business opportunities in Somerset, attendees engaged in an open discussion about some of the challenges that Somerset faces, included the perceived negative social element. Representatives from the Police were on hand to assure that they were looking to partner with the community to tackle the problem and that the emergence of a Somerset neighbourhood watch was timely.
The Somerset Community Speaks event concluded with the Somerset business community expressing their gratitude to the attendees by donating over $2,500 of business prizes. Cambridge Beaches, Marketplace, Platinum Entertainment, Caesars Pharmacy, Buds Liquors, Country Squire, Telford’s, Sandys 360, Salt Rock Grill, Safeguard Security, Bo’s Lawn Equipment and Blue Water Divers promoted their businesses while giving back. Cambridge Beaches donated the grand prize with a Weekend Stay for 2 valued at over $1,000.
For more information on this event and the SEEZ’s upcoming events, please contact BEDC at info@bsbdc.bm or visit the BEDC website at www.bedc.bm. The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is Bermuda’s premier source of free confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs. The mission is to serve Bermuda’s business community with the highest degree of professionalism by providing, authoritative business advice; counsel and loan guarantee support.
