Freeport – a free trade zone founded in 1955
Freeport's story begins in 1955, when the government of The Bahamas granted the Virginian financier Wallace Groves some 20,000 hectares of pineyard, swamp and scrubland on Grand Bahama with a mandate to develop the area economically. Under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, a free trade zone was created, operated by the Grand Bahama Port Authority; the land grants were later expanded considerably. From this largely undeveloped land grew a cosmopolitan centre. Within a few decades Freeport became the second most populous city in The Bahamas. Today it is served by Grand Bahama International Airport, with domestic and international connections, and remains the island's economic hub. Do you remember how Freeport has changed over the years? Share your stories with the community!