‘Signing Of The Lease Agreement With Google’

“Today’s signing of the lease agreement with Google is more than just an infrastructure project—it is an investment in our future, one that will enhance our global connectivity, drive innovation, and create new opportunities for Bermudians,” Premier David Burt said.

The Premier added, “This partnership will create high-quality jobs, and will create training programs that will equip our people with the skills they need to thrive in a growing digital economy.

“It will also open doors for local businesses to benefit from increased economic activity and will benefit the community of St. David’s. It will enhance Bermuda’s position as a global technology hub, attracting further investment and innovation to our shores. And through collaboration in education we will ensure that our students have access to new programmes that will equip them with the tools to succeed in an increasingly digital world.

“Companies like Google do not make 25 to 40-year commitments lightly. This agreement is a testament to Bermuda’s stability, sound governance, and strategic importance to the global digital economy.”

Premier David Burt’s full statement follows below:

Good afternoon, Deputy Premier, Minister Burch, Area MPs from St David’s Minister Tinee Furbert & Lovita Foggo, MP Neville Tyrell, representatives from Google, members of the team from the Bermuda Land Management Company, members of the media and the people of Bermuda.

It is a pleasure to be here today as we take a meaningful step forward in Bermuda’s journey toward economic diversification and digital transformation. Today’s signing of the lease agreement with Google is more than just an infrastructure project—it is an investment in our future, one that will enhance our global connectivity, drive innovation, and create new opportunities for Bermudians.

As a government, we have always believed in Southside’s potential to become a hub for technology and innovation. In our 2017 election platform, we laid out a vision to transform this area into a technology hub by leveraging Bermuda’s regulatory environment to foster economic diversification and create opportunities for Bermudians in this growing industry.

In addition, in 2019, the Government recognised the importance of subsea cables to global connectivity and the leading role that Bermuda could play in this vital sector. We began laying the legal framework for a new subsea cable industry on our shores and taking the first steps in ensuring Bermuda was positioned as an attractive destination for global tech companies to land their infrastructure projects.

There is a bible verse that says: “For the vision is yet for the appointed time…Though it delays, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay long.”

Change does not happen overnight, and progress requires vision, dedication, and perseverance. This Government believed we could deliver on this initiative and committed to seeing it through, though we knew it would take time. We did this because we also knew it would bring about positive benefits for Bermudians and our economy.

Today, we are seeing that vision, set out by this Government, begin to become a reality, with one the largest technology companies on the planet making a long-term investment in our island, our community, and our people. This partnership and this project is not just about infrastructure—it is about opportunity. The signing of this lease agreement with Google represents more than just an investment in technology; it is an investment in Bermuda and those who call Bermuda home.

This partnership will create high-quality jobs, and will create training programs that will equip our people with the skills they need to thrive in a growing digital economy.

It will also open doors for local businesses to benefit from increased economic activity and will benefit the community of St. David’s. It will enhance Bermuda’s position as a global technology hub, attracting further investment and innovation to our shores. And through collaboration in education we will ensure that our students have access to new programmes that will equip them with the tools to succeed in an increasingly digital world.

Companies like Google do not make 25 to 40-year commitments lightly. This agreement is a testament to Bermuda’s stability, sound governance, and strategic importance to the global digital economy.

I extend my sincere thanks to all those who have worked tirelessly to bring us to this moment. To the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Walter Roban, I commend you for your steadfast leadership in seeing this initiative through over a number of years, along with former Permanent Secretary Ms Rozy Azhar and the Ministry of Home Affairs team.

To the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Lt. Col. David Burch, for your belief in and support of this project, as well as the Ministry of Public Works team and the Bermuda Land Management Corporation for their technical expertise. I also recognise MP Foggo, Chair of the BLDC before the merger, and MP Tyrell Chair of the Bermuda Land Management Company.

To the Bermuda Business Development Agency, thank you for your continued advocacy in promoting Bermuda as a key player in global infrastructure and I recognise Ms Fiona Beck, for her work with the BDA as well.

And to our partners at Google represented here today by Mr Lee Livingston [Director, Global Networks Acquisition], Mr Mike Lindstedt [Strategic Negotiator], Mr Javier Goas [Technical Programme Manager], to their counsel Mr Jerome Wilson, thank you for your work, thank you choosing Bermuda and for your commitment to investing in our shared future.

Today, we are showing what can be achieved when our island has a Government that remains focused on a long-term vision and creating opportunities for Bermudians.

Thank you and it is my pleasure to hand over the podium to the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Walter Roban to share a few words.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban’s full statement follows below:

Good afternoon, Premier, Minister Burch and our guests from Google who are joining us here, and all who are watching this press conference. Thank you for joining us today for this important announcement.

It is with great pleasure that I stand before you to announce a significant milestone in Bermuda’s journey to becoming a premier communications and digital hub in the Atlantic. Today, the Government of Bermuda will officially sign a land lease agreement with Google, paving the way for the development of the Nuvem transatlantic cable project.

This agreement marks the culmination of extensive collaboration between the Government of Bermuda, the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, and Google. The Nuvem cable, aptly named after the Portuguese word for “cloud,” will connect the United States with Portugal, with dual landing points in Bermuda at Devonshire Bay and Annie’s Bay in St. David’s.

This initiative stems directly from the bill I tabled in 2019 that subsequently became the Submarine Communications Cables Act 2020, legislation that established Bermuda as a strategic submarine fibre optic cable corridor. This Act provides a clear, efficient regulatory framework that has made Bermuda an attractive location for global tech giants like Google.

The Nuvem cable is more than just an infrastructure project; it is a transformative development that will:

• Establish Bermuda as a key mid-Atlantic communications hub, enhancing connectivity between Europe and the Americas and reducing communication latency.

• Attract other major players in the communications industry, positioning Bermuda as a prime destination for technological investment.

• Provide critical redundancy for Bermuda’s existing submarine cable network, ensuring robust and reliable connectivity.

The economic and social benefits to Bermuda are substantial. The construction of a major cable landing station will not only generate significant economic activity through land acquisition and infrastructure development but also create employment opportunities for Bermudians. These include direct positions within the cable landing station and ancillary roles within the burgeoning technology hub that will emerge.

Furthermore, this project will stimulate growth in ancillary industries, from construction and engineering to technology services and support. It will create opportunities for local businesses to engage in the supply chain, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation within Bermuda. The ripple effect of this development will touch various sectors, including education, where partnerships with Google can lead to enhanced STEM programs and tech-driven curriculum advancements in our schools.

Moreover, Google’s commitment extends beyond infrastructure. They will provide training opportunities for Bermudians, support sustainability initiatives, and contribute to community development projects. This partnership signifies a 25 to 40-year commitment from Google, reflecting their confidence in Bermuda as a stable and strategic partner.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions of Ms. Fiona Beck, whose expertise and dedication have been instrumental in fostering this relationship between Bermuda and Google.

In conclusion, this land lease agreement is not just about laying cables; it is about laying the foundation for Bermuda’s future as a digital powerhouse in the Atlantic. We welcome Google’s investment and look forward to a long, prosperous partnership that will benefit Bermuda for generations to come.

Thank you.

Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch’s full statement follows below:

Good afternoon – I’m pleased to join in this celebration of the successful conclusion of negotiations for this lease arrangement with Google. This day marks a milestone in this journey.

Many sentiments have already been expressed by the Hon. Premier and the Hon. Deputy Premier on how this agreement benefits not only the people of Bermuda but the greater Atlantic region as a whole.

I will keep my remarks brief, but I would like to take a moment to extend my sincere thanks to all those involved with this project.

We come here today to sign the agreement for the lease of land totaling 5.9 acres located at Burrows Hill, Southside Road, St. George’s after many months of detailed and complicated negotiations.

That said, the original leasing tenants of a portion of the land in question, the Bermuda Nitro Racing Association readily agreed to move to a new location to make way for this development.

Thanks to the successful negotiations between Google, BLMC Management, and the aforementioned organization, the agreement will see the current track relocated to a new site. A planning application will be submitted shortly, with all related works being fully funded by Google.

I particularly want to commend Google for the way in which they introduced and explained their plans to the people of St. David’s by meeting with them specifically to set out their plans. I’m also delighted to have with us today the two members of parliament for St. David’s – the Hon Tinee Furbert and the Hon. Lovitta Foggo along with St. David’s resident Mr. Arthur Pitcher.

We are most appreciative of everyone’s efforts in seeing this agreement executed and we hope that this sets the foundation for even bigger and better things to come.

We welcome Google’s investment in Bermuda and look forward to a long and productive relationship with them.

Thank You.

#BermudaMarine #GoogleCables #Nuvem

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