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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Grand Bahama
Freeport, Grand Bahama - On Monday June 2nd, Ginger Moxey President and CEO of Immerse Bahamas Co. Ltd. set out on a journey with one goal in mind – to promote the culture and the people of The Bahamas to the world. Moxey went to Washington D.C. to visit the World Headquarters of Sister Cities International to cement the partnership between Immerse Bahamas and Sister Cities International; to discuss sister city agreements that were under development; and to revitalize existing relationships with The Bahamas. As a result of the visit, John Dunlap, President of Concord Sister Cities Association in Concord, North Carolina and Past President Mary Loftus visited Grand Bahama Island on June 23rd to tour the City of Freeport and to discuss the benefits of such a relationship for both cities. The trip was facilitated by Immerse Bahamas and included courtesy calls with the Minister for Grand Bahama, The Hon. Dr. Michael Darville and Executives of The Grand Bahama Port Authority. The President of Sister Cities International Mary Kane and Membership Coordinator Taylor Woodruff also visited Grand Bahama Island to participate in the official opening of Immerse Bahamas and the launch of its philanthropic programme “700 Partners” on June 30th. On Wednesday July 10th, the Mayor of The City of Concord, Scott Padgett and the Concord City Council happily approved the agreement submitted by Concord Sister Cities Association to add Freeport as sister city. Reportedly, the agreement had already been unanimously approved by the Concord Sister Cities Board of Directors. Officials from the City of Freeport are expected to visit the City of Concord, NC over the next few weeks, prior to the signing of the agreement. “We are pleased to work towards a new partnership with the people of Freeport, Bahamas,” Padgett said in a statement about the sister cities. “Since 1993, Concord has enjoyed a rewarding relationship with Killarney, Ireland that has provided cultural and economic benefits to both communities. The work of Sister Cities International and its member communities continues to offer the promise of a better future for our world through peace and mutual understanding. Thank you to the Concord Sister Cities Association for starting the process of broadening our community’s partnership to a new community in Freeport and continuing the successful relationship with Killarney.” This new alliance is brimming with opportunities for Freeport and President of the Concord Sister Cities Association John Dunlap, expressed his excitement over the possibilities that exist for both cities. “We are absolutely thrilled to have Freeport as our new Sister City for any number of reasons,” said President Dunlap, “Grand Bahama Island is the close to the United States and there are non-stop flights from Charlotte to Freeport. The people of Freeport are most welcoming. We hope to have student, medical and business exchanges with Freeport.” It is believed that speed-car racing, one of the exciting events that occurred in Freeport during the 1980s has a real opportunity of revitalization with Freeport’s sister city relationship with Concord, the home of Charlotte Motor Speedway and numerous NASCAR driver headquarters. Ginger Moxey expressed her delight about the sister city relationship between Freeport and Concord, "We are so excited about the City of Freeport becoming a sister city with the City of Concord. The untapped, synergistic opportunities are endless, and we look forward to creating ‘real’ tangible avenues for both communities to benefit and thrive, as a result of the signing of the agreement.” Immerse Bahamas has partnered with Sister Cities International to form sister city relationships for all of the inhabited islands of The Bahamas and cities of the U.S.A. Twin town relationships are also being formed with other countries. The President of Sister Cities International, Mary D. Kane recently brought remarks at the official opening of Immerse Bahamas, along with the Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie.
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