NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former NBA champion, actor, and Ambassador-At-Large for Sports Rick Fox is partnering with the government of The Bahamas to build 1,000 affordable and hurricane-resistant homes over three years, with his company Partanna Bahamas also investing $50 million in a manufacturing plant.
At a press conference to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Partanna and the government, it was revealed that 30 homes would be built in the initial run as a part of a pilot project on Abaco.
Fox has teamed up with architect Sam Marshall to develop Partanna, which is a building material that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is said to consist of natural and recycled ingredients.
Prime Minister Philip Davis described the Partanna material as both an exciting innovation in helping to reduce carbon, and, for The Bahamas, a path to sustainable, long-term adaptation in the face of climate change.
Davis also noted that under the MOU, Partanna must provide proof of verification for the carbon credit in relation to the technology used in the construction of the homes.
“Provided the verification process is successful, over the following three years, the government has committed that Partanna will increase that number to build 1,000 affordable, sustainable homes,” said Davis.
This arrangement is said to satisfy two key priorities of the Davis administration; to provide affordable, sustainable housing in The Bahamas, and secondly, to meet the carbon priorities of the country.
“The government also wishes to create a new, carbon-negative building industry, which will generate new job opportunities and training for Bahamians,” Davis continued.
“I am personally pleased that Mr Rick Fox, a Bahamian, accepted my invitation to bring his industry home to The Bahamas. Their investment of $50 million into the Bahamian economy to establish the manufacturing plant is most welcome. We hope that this is just the beginning.”
Partanna has committed to providing employment for at least 100 Bahamians over the life of the pilot project. They will also provide the necessary training required.
The Partanna technology is forecast to generate approximately 260 of the highest-valued carbon credits on the market per home.
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