First, Please understand that this is just an idea. I Don't know yet if it is even workable. HOWEVER if it is, it might be a solution and a quick way to move this project to success.

There is an island in the Bahamas called Current Island. It is unique because the 50 or so people in the community that live there, own the island. The lower 1,200 to 1,500 acres are uninhabited and unimproved. There are issues with forming a business in the Bahamas BUT they are very business friendly. The BIG issue is that there are about 20 to 25 business activities in the Bahamas that are reserved for Bahamians ONLY. Real Estate management happens to be one of those businesses. Restaurants, nightclubs, bar, construction and retail distribution happens to be others. that is a BIG ouch to making the island work.

HOWEVER

There might be a way: It is possible to form a Joint Venture with a bahamian company for these particular kinds of businesses. Any other business venture can be 100% owned by a foreigner. So we might form a Partnership with the members of the island Community and in that way, be allowed to start the business we need to make the island grow, except that they would own 51% of THOSE businesses.

BUt the trade off would be that we make a deal with them to essentially buy into the use of the island AS NEEDED. Meaning we only have to raise the $500,000 needed to form a partnership in the Bahamas (plus the other money we need to establish the island). The people putting up the money for the $500,000 ( plus the $500K to $800K for infrastructure) would have first right to a parcel of land on the island relative to the size of their investment.

The issue here is that Bahamian land is not cheap. So we make a deal to progressively pay for the land over time by gradually raising the cost of a parcel in steps. This way we get the initial purchase of the land much cheaper than it would normally cost. The benefit to the island community partners is that they get revenue from the sale and we bring with us modern technology, a highly skilled work force and modern infrastructure.

There are SO MANY deals that would need to be cut to make this work, but if we could, we could now concentrate on the island, market the island and have an absolute goal of money we need to raise. With a clear plan and location determined, it should be easier to raise funds and establish this plan.

AGAIN, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THIS IS POSSIBLE But there is still an opportunity. So, should I contact the government and the community and see if this can fly??

Just Search for CURRENT ISLAND BAHAMAS in Google Maps.

--- UPDATE ---

I contacted the Minister of Investment in The Bahamas and asked about some of the painful issues with regard to bahamian law. She said that depending on the detail of the plan, there is always the possibility for "concession" in the rules. That they can establish in essence an enterprise zone that has some relaxation on company ownership as well as immigration. But it is unclear what could be allowed. She was going to look into other examples and let me know what kind of concessions could be considered.

I also asked a third party person here in the states for contact information of community leaders on Current Island since the third party has relationships there. We will see if that pans out.