Disney Cruise Line, Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre announce small business grant program
ELEUTHERA, Bahamas (April 25, 2021) – The Eleuthera Business Hub, a partnership between the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce, Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre and Disney Cruise Line, is now open to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in Central and South Eleuthera.
Located in the Market Place Shopping Center in Rock Sound, the Eleuthera Business Hub provides business owners with access to shared workspaces and full-service office amenities, including training and meeting rooms equipped with the latest audiovisual equipment, open desks and private office spaces available to rent on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. Future programming at the Eleuthera Business Hub will be delivered in partnership with Access Accelerator. These services will include business development, business communication training, customer service training, business mentorship and other seminars and programming designed to empower local businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Whether business owners are seeking dedicated office space, meeting rooms or access to technology, we’re delighted to serve the small business community of Eleuthera,” said Candice Turnquest, executive director of the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce. “We’re grateful to our many partners who have come together to support the success and growth of business and entrepreneurship on the island of Eleuthera.”
Small Business Grants of $5,000 Will Be Offered
In celebration of the grand opening of the Eleuthera Business Hub, Disney Cruise Line has partnered with Access Accelerator to sponsor small business grants in the amount of $5,000 each for local businesses across a variety of industries, ranging from e-commerce and delivery services to tourism and construction. Both new and existing businesses are eligible to receive small business grants. The application period will open on May 10. Interested applicants may contact Access Accelerator Business Advisor Sharon French at sharon.french@sbdcbahamas.com to schedule an appointment in person or apply online at www.accessaccelerator.org.
“The economic strength of communities is often built on the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Kim Prunty, vice president of public affairs for Disney Cruise Line. “These combined efforts are intended to help local businesses maximize their involvement in projects underway in Eleuthera, including ours at Lighthouse Point.”
Disney Cruise Line committed more than $1 million to fund construction and operation of the Eleuthera Business Hub and its programming over the next three years. Disney Cruise Line also plans to open a small office in the facility in the future to provide a convenient touch point between the company and local entrepreneurs, small businesses and community organizations.
“The Eleuthera Business Hub is a prime example of the incredible synergy that is ignited when the private sector recognizes a need and steps in to assist,” said Access Accelerator Executive Director Davinia Grant. “We celebrate the opening of the Eleuthera Business Hub and the launch of the Disney grant program, and are excited about how these combined initiatives will positively impact Eleuthera for years to come.”
Additional sponsors include Cable Bahamas Business Solutions, who equipped the center with the latest technology solutions, including phone, high-speed internet and printing services, and the University of The Bahamas.
“We’re proud to be a part of this initiative,” said John Gomez, Chief Executive Officer for Cable Bahamas. “Cable Bahamas understands how important it is for small businesses and entrepreneurs to have access to essential tools, like high-speed internet, in order to successfully run their businesses. We’re pleased to offer these resources and be a part of this forward-thinking approach to growing the economy in Eleuthera.”
University of The Bahamas (UB) also affirmed its commitment to helping cultivate an environment in which small businesspersons can thrive.
“We applaud the launch of the Eleuthera Business Hub,” noted University of The Bahamas President Dr. Rodney D. Smith. “UB and its United States Foundation remain committed to the success of Eleuthera, growing its business capacity and extending access to business and management training for entrepreneurs. When our small business owners receive the education and support that they need, our economy is positively impacted.”
For more information about EBH, visit https://www.eleutherachamberofcommerce.com/businesshub.