The success of St George is largely driven by small business operations and entrepreneurs. We will focus on ways to remove barriers to innovation, assist in providing access to the right information and services, including ensuring a comprehensive and reliable supporting infrastructure. We will also create opportunities for collaboration and promoting the Town.

GOAL C: Foster a supportive environment for business and investment

Objective: To develop a competitive advantage for attracting and retaining business and investment in our Town

 

Survey respondents identified the following priorities for action:

  • Greater clarity needed over what brand the town is seeking e.g. historic venue, experiential destination etc
  • Lack of business acumen and/or appropriate product so need for training opportunities/market research
  • More flexibility is needed by the local businesses; opening times are mis-matched with visitor excursions to the town.
  • Poor marketing
  • Lack of events/activities
  • Building upgrades needed to attract commercial growth
  • Town looks neglected
  • Infrastructure (goods and services) in need of upgrade
  • Need to provide broader range of goods and services
  • Night time economy thwarted by lack of transport so need to address this
  • Lack of charging stations for Twizzy’s
  • Lack of taxis and Gypsy cabs operating
  • Part-time opening hours
  • No ferries
  • Limited docking for local leisure boats

residentssample

Key opportunities identified:

  • Promoting town as a commuter town
  • Promoting town as a place to work from
  • Opportunity to develop niche market
  • Better leveraging of cruise ship spending; need to consider crew as well as paying passengers
  • Vacant occupancy tax
  • Ritz Carlton Hotel development will increase the number of residents through housing of staff as well as tourists
  • New marina will increase number of visitors (crews and owners) and resident population if there are liveaboards; Already seen as a hub by visiting yachtsmen)
  • Bermuda Tourism Plan 2018 – Mixed Use zonings create opportunity
  • Partnerships with private sector investors (hotel, marina)
  • Funding via grants
  • Electric bicycles and twizzys


KEY ACTIONS:

C1. Bring key stakeholders and business community together to promote a coordinated approach

C2. Create plans that reflect future economic needs through the use of existing and available development sites

C3. Develop Business Attraction and Retention Program/s/incentives

C4. Make use of our historic significance and waterfront location to attract development initiatives

C5. Foster and maintain positive relationships with the local and island-wide business community

Town Plan FAQs
Meet the team that is leading the delivery of the Town Plan and gain insight into the process.
  • What is the purpose of the Town Plan? +

    A Town Plan gives the community direction on how their Town will be developed for the benefit of all.

  • How often is the Town Plan developed? +

    The Town Plan should be reviewed in line with the Government census. The census provides important indicators on demographic changes which impact resources and funding sources.

  • What does a Town Plan encompass? +
     “TownBoundry"Click Map To Enlarge

    Management of land within the following borders: 
    The limits of the Town of St. George shall extend from the westernmost line of the glebe land to the easternmost line of land formerly of Edwin Stone Burch, Esquire, afterwards of the Honourable A.F. Cockrane, Esquire, and shall include Ordnance Island and the causeway connecting Ordnance Island to St. George’s Island.

    Managing projects with such a size as:
    - St. George’s Marina Project
    - Restoration of docks at Market Wharf, Hunter’s Wharf, and Penno’s.
    - Park Gates embankment reinstatement
    - Reconstruction of the demolished building at 20 Wellington Street


    Managing limited funding sources
    - wharfage from airport
    - port fees from cruise ships and yachts
    - There are no municipal taxes to fund projects and/or service
  • What impact does a Town Plan have on: +
    - Residents - A plan indicates how many residents will have an adequate supply of municipal services such as trash collection, water, sewage and road access. And the creation of new services fits the purpose and overall vision of the Town.

    - Businesses - A plan indicates the resources available and services maintained to support current businesses and industries, for example, parking lots, road access and repair, planning approval, and dock facility support, to name a few. Additionally, programmes are designed to help encourage people to choose the Town as a place to live or vacation.

    - Infrastructure - A plan provides for the modernization of existing services and the accommodation of future services while retaining the island's national status as a World Heritage Site. A programme is built-in to monitor technological changes and introduce them in a timely fashion in conjunction with Town partners or new industries changes. Examples include the installation of fiber optic cables, CCTV cameras, a unified national sewage programme and even solar panels and charging stations. Although the Town is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it maintains all modern conveniences.
  • Who do you partner/communicate with during the planning process? +

    Residents, businesses, the government, and investors are all involved in the process. Surveying, face-to-face meetings, research, and continuing engagement are all part of the Town Plan process.

  • What does the Town / CSG own, manage or maintain? +
    Main roads:
    Public municipal roads not private estate roads. Public Roads-MPW

    Buildings include:
    - Town Hall
    - Market Wharf Building
    - Penno’s Cruise Terminal
    - Queen’s Warehouse
    - Penno’s Warehouse

    Services:
    - Water
    - Sewage
    - Trash
    - Electricity (to CSG venues)
    - Street lighting
    - Parks
    - Beach building

    Contact CSG
    - To have events on CSG owned property
    - Inform us of property matter
  • What is NOT the Town’s property, assets or responsibility? +
    • CSG is not responsible for buildings and lands owned by private residents or businesses.  
    • CSG can only create ordinances to establish common standards.  
    • Architectural elements are the domain of St. George’s Preservation Authority (SGPA).
  • What current activity is in progress (that would be part of a Town Plan?) +
    All projects that are submitted for planning approval and requires CSG to provide approval.
Town Plan Elements

There are many parts to the development and delivery of a town plan;
social, economic, infrastructure, and funding are overarching themes.