NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tensions between two competing developments in the Exuma Cays continue to escalate, with the Yntegra Group and Turtlegrass Resort exchanging fresh accusations over jobs, foreign labour, and the environmental impact of their neighbouring projects.
In the latest round of the long-running, high-profile dispute, Turtlegrass Resort, in a recent statement, challenged claims by Yntegra, the developers behind the Rosewood branded resort on Sampson Cay about local employment. Turtlegrass, whose principal is American business Bob Coughlin, called on Yntegra to “clarify its startling claims about job creation at its proposed development on tiny East Sampson Cay,” questioning whether the developer’s public assurances align with the terms outlined in its Heads of Agreement.
Turtlegrass highlighted that while Yntegra asserts the project will create “a whopping 500 jobs for ‘Bahamian families,’” the agreement allows for “the approval of 100 work permits for skilled construction workers” for non-Bahamians and permits two foreign construction contractors to obtain an undisclosed number of additional permits. It also includes “…30 work permits for key managerial staff during the operation of the resort,” raising questions about how many full-time positions will actually go to Bahamians.
Coughlin directly questioned the necessity of the foreign permits. “Why would a development claiming to support the people of Exuma negotiate such a huge and in my opinion, totally unnecessary number of foreign work permits into their agreement with the government? Do they think Exumians and other Bahamians are not capable of doing the work?” he asked.
Coughlin also emphasized the impact on local employment. “Meanwhile, their continued effort to push through a project that’s far too large and intrusive for the area, is actually blocking real Bahamian jobs that should have already been in existence by now.” He added that Turtlegrass, which employs dozens of Bahamians—primarily from Black Point—has seen the development of its eco-resort slowed. Phase 2, which would have included an expansive beach club and doubled the construction workforce, has been paused. Coughlin said this was necessary due to “the impact that Rosewood Exuma’s aggressive and impractical plans will have on our low-density resort that emphasizes the beauty of Sampson Cay.”
Environmental concerns were also central to Turtlegrass’s statement. Coughlin warned that Yntegra intends to dredge “a massive 1.4 acres of sensitive seabed and route all of their commercial shipping deliveries through the tiny North Bay of Sampson Cay.” He described the area as “teeming with coral reef, juvenile conch, grouper, lobster, turtlegrass, and other vitally important marine resources” and said converting it “into a highway for supply ships and fuel boats” would “create a very unsafe and dangerous situation for our guests and end any chance of creating a positive example of sustainable tourism in the Exumas.”
Yntegra responded forcefully, calling Turtlegrass’s statements “baseless assertions” and accusing the rival developer of deliberately misrepresenting the project to “stoke division and confusion” among the public. The developer said claims that it is sidelining Bahamian workers are “wholly inaccurate,” noting that Bahamas Industries Construction Company, “a Bahamian-owned company operating in Exuma,” was ready to hire “almost 150 Bahamians” before work was halted “at the direction of Mr Coughlin.”
On the issue of foreign contractors, Yntegra said Turtlegrass’s claim that both firms are from Singapore is “simply not true, with one contractor is a global specialist in environmentally friendly timber structures, while the second will facilitate construction using sustainable materials and solar panel installations. The company stressed that these roles require specialized skills not widely available in The Bahamas and that “engaging these experts will also provide an opportunity for Bahamians to be trained for future work in this area,” in keeping with the HOA’s commitment to multi-disciplinary on-the-job technical skills training and apprenticeship programs.
Yntegra also rejected environmental criticisms, emphasizing that its development aligns with LEED certification initiatives and international standards for sustainable resort construction. “Turtlegrass cannot, on the one hand, claim that the Yntegra project is not environmentally sustainable, while on the other hand, criticize the project for taking the necessary steps to ensure that it is,” the company said.
Both developers cite government-mandated ratios for Bahamian to non-Bahamian workers in their agreements. Yntegra noted that even Turtlegrass’s HOA includes provisions to “facilitate the grant of work permits for jobs requiring special skills and expertise” and maintained that the dispute over work permits appears “desperate and incoherent” given these shared legal frameworks.
Yntegra reaffirmed its commitment to the local community, highlighting that the Rosewood Exuma project is projected to create “more than 500 well-paying jobs for Bahamians through construction and operations,” while offering long-term career advancement and entrepreneurial opportunities. According to the company, more than 350 Bahamians and 40 Bahamian companies have already expressed interest in participating in the development.
Meanwhile, The Save Exuma Alliance (SEA), a coalition of local businesspeople and community leaders, also mounted fresh criticism of the Rosewood Yntegra project over the foreign labour reports. SEA argued that the reliance on foreign workers undermines the project’s economic benefits for Bahamians while raising environmental concerns, including dredging, coral and seagrass damage, and a 390-foot seawall. The group said the development threatens both local jobs and community culture, noting that while the project includes provisions for Bahamian entertainers and artwork, nothing prevents the use of non-Bahamian talent.
