PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Entrepreneurship Development Center (SEDC) Foundation, endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), is pleased to announce the completion of the first Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP), the first in a four-part series.

The four-week, two-class-per-week entrepreneurship training program is funded through the NRPB, which implements projects on behalf of the government of St Maarten under the Trust Fund.

The EDP kick started with 30 persons: ten (10) males and twenty (20) females. Of these, seventeen (17) are aspiring entrepreneurs, five (5) are engaged in business activities, and eight (8) have existing businesses.

The program successfully met the participants' expectations, who praised the material shared, the interactive setting of the sessions, and the coach’s enthusiasm and ability to simplify complex topics.

A special thanks to Dr. Ann Marlin-Evans, a business trainer and coach, who conduct the first four-week training. Dr. Marlin-Evans lived up to her reputation as an entrepreneurship trainer and coaching expert while creating a lively and interactive atmosphere.

Upon completing the EDP, the SEDC will continue providing guidance to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to develop and launch their business ideas and enhance and professionalize the existing ones.

With the application deadline for loans and grants under NRPB’s Enterprise Support Project (ESP), which is part of the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, financed by the Dutch Government and managed by the World Bank, closing in June 2025, the SEDC will offer services including providing the participants with full support in the application process.

The next EDP is slated for November with registration to begin in October 2024, via SEDC social media pages.

For more information, contact SEDC @ +1-721-542-8898 or +1-721-556-5653.

Rum and Sargassum Inc., a local deep-tech start-up, and The University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus have launched the first vehicle powered by bio-compressed natural gas (CNG). The bio-CNG uses rum distillery wastewater and a sargassum-based biomethane, an innovative fuel source derived from the invasive seaweed which is plaguing the region’s coasts.

The seasonal issue posed by sargassum on the island's beaches is now being turned into a valuable resource as the country seeks to achieve its goal of becoming a 100 per cent renewable energy and carbon-neutral island state by 2030. The project, spearheaded by Rum and Sargassum Inc., is an achievement for sustainable development in the Caribbean, thanks to partners like the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE).

Dr. Legena Henry and her team from the Renewable Energy Development Laboratory at the Cave Hill Campus are the innovators of the biomethane fuel. Speaking during the launch of the vehicle, she said, “UWI Cave Hill Campus is really an incubator for creativity and innovation. Why I celebrate Cave Hill so much is because Barbados is a creative society, and we are leading the region right now in the energy transition.”
Additionally, she drew attention to the contributions from The CCREEE, stating that the regional body has been incredibly supportive of the project. Dr. Henry noted that the launch of the bio-CNG vehicle would not have been possible without The CCREEE, which offered the use of its electric car for the test drive. It is now the flagship vehicle bearing the slogan ‘Runs on Sargassum’.

Building on this success, Dr. Henry also outlined the next phase of the project, which involves establishing a biogas station. She said they currently have a small station at the Guinea Estate on four acres of agricultural land and described it as a perfect example of the circular nature of this process. She explained that "the digestate feeds the land, but the gas fuels cars," creating a sustainable solution that benefits both agriculture and transportation.

In his remarks, Professor Clive Landis, Principal and Pro-Vice Chancellor of The UWI Cave Hill, praised Dr. Henry for embodying Cave Hill’s mission to "create value from ideas." His comments came as he suggested that Dr. Henry’s work represents the next phase of The UWI's strategy to evolve into an entrepreneurial university capable of leveraging research excellence to benefit society.

“Dr Henry is, firstly, leveraging her research on how to convert sargassum into biofuel to create value in society by tackling this pernicious environmental scourge,” Professor Landis stated, adding, “Secondly, she is creating value for the university itself because the Cave Hill Campus is an equity partner in the venture. Taking an idea through the so-called tech transfer funnel, all the way from the point of conception to the successful pilot stage that we have witnessed today, the point at which it is ready for scale-up and investment, takes persistence and determination.”
Professor Landis hinted that the sargassum-powered vehicle is just the beginning. He said The UWI plans to introduce other sargassum-based innovations soon, including products for pest control and diabetes treatment.

Meanwhile, in her address, Senator Lisa Cummins, Minister of Energy and Business, lauded the project as a significant milestone in Barbados' renewable energy journey. She underscored the fact that Barbados has 150,000 fossil fuel vehicles, and this innovation is important in the transportation sector as Barbados strives to meet its net-zero carbon emissions goals.

“Electrification and the use of renewables in transportation are critical for our energy transition,” Minister Cummins noted, adding that the project has the potential to "change the hearts and minds" of the Barbadian public regarding transitioning to renewable energy.

Minister Cummins also highlighted the broader potential of sargassum beyond Barbados, urging the region to embrace the opportunity. “This is a regional and a global first-mover opportunity. Barbados has pioneered a technology that can change the way the entire Caribbean treats to transportation, and I want us to not take that for granted," she said, expressing confidence that Barbados will continue to lead in renewable energy.

The launch event was hosted by Rum and Sargassum Inc. and Supernova Lab of Future Barbados. Sponsors included The CCREEE, The UWI, NGC Green Company Limited, the National Petroleum Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator, TOSL Engineering Limited, and RL Mark & Company.

For Immediate Release

Contact
Ms. Paulina Nzinga Lake
President
St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

September 18 2024

“The hidden costs of re -current power outages for Small Hoteliers: A National Crisis affecting Visitors and Businesses alike across the island,” says Ms. Paulina Lake, President of SMSPA

SMSPA applauds honorable MP Ludmila de Weever for shading light on the floor of Parliament on the effects on power outages for small hoteliers.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Grassroots - small hoteliers are feeling the strain more than ever on the current effects of power outages these past days. The hospitality industry, particularly smaller establishments, is grappling with the harsh realities of the current inconsistent power supply, which can diminish guest experiences and threaten business sustainability, says Ms. Paulina Lake, President of the Small Properties Association (SMSPA)

Power outages not only affect essential services such as air conditioning, internet, lights, telephone, and security systems but also significantly impact the overall perception of hotels by their guests. Visitors seeking relaxation and enjoyment are often discouraged by the prospect of being "stuck in the dark" during their holidays.

"The small hotel experience should be a comforting escape, but constant disruptions create uncertainty for our guests. The ambiance, comfort, and safety are compromised, leading visitors to reconsider their choice of accommodation," said Ms. Lake.

"Our hotels are our backbone, and without reliable power, we face the crippling challenge of not only losing income but also damaging our SMSPA member’s reputation."

In addition to the immediate discomfort for guests, these outages lead to additional operational costs. While backup generators may provide temporary relief, the mounting utility bills add further strain on already limited resources, pushing small hoteliers to the brink of financial distress in the future.

The ripple effects of this crisis are felt throughout the public and private sectors, as the hospitality sector plays a crucial role in local economies. Tourists deterred by fears of power interruptions may opt for destinations with more reliable infrastructures, leaving small hotels struggling to attract visitors and maintain their core services.

“Immediate action is required from policymakers and our utility provider to address the national power supply crisis. “We urge stakeholders to prioritize solutions that will enhance the stability of our power grid, ensuring that small hoteliers and businesses can thrive and continue to provide exceptional experiences for visitors," Ms. Lake

As the situation evolves, the Small Properties Association ( SMSPA) remains committed to supporting its members, guests and stakeholders while actively seeking innovative ways to maintain service excellence.

~ No mattress on the bed, faulty electrical without explanations. ~

POINTE BLANCHE: --- A couple who returned to the island under a week ago shared their horror story with SMN News on Wednesday evening at an apartment (unit) at the Tamarind Hotel in Pointe Blanche.
The couple, who preferred to have their identity protected, said their misery started the evening they arrived on the island last week. They said they booked an Airbnb on bookings.com, which showed the apartment as being at Little Bay.
“When we arrived at Little Bay, we were told there was no reservation under our name. Immediately, I felt something was not right, but I decided to look all over Little Bay for the apartment and could not locate it. I even went to Paradise Hall, and it was there that they told me that the apartment is in Pointe Blanche and that I should know that Little Bay ends in Pointe Blanche.”
The couple explained they spent hours trying to locate the apartment. They clarified that they were no strangers to St. Maarten because they once lived and worked on the island. They said they eventually opted to go by someone’s house in Belvedere and wait for the person managing the apartment to pick them up and take them to the apartment.
“When we were taken to the apartment, we realized that people are being misled about the Airbnb units on St. Maarten. As we reached the apartment, we discovered the electrical system was faulty because there was no switch to turn on the lights as you entered; a drop cord had to be plugged in where multiple items were plugged in.
The Airbnb apartment had only two towels and no mats on the floor. The stove was also in a deplorable condition.
The other mystery was only discovered when the couple retired to bed after a long day of traveling. It was then that they realized that the bed had no mattress and only a very hard box spring, which made it impossible for them to sleep on the bed.
The couple said they requested that a mattress be provided the following day, and the person managing the apartment at Tamarind Hotel made promises, but the mattress was never provided.
The couple said they were forced to sleep on a small click-clack couch, making sleeping almost impossible at night. They explained that they asked for a change of towels since no one checked on them to provide clean towels or sheets, and nothing was given to them. Besides the filthy unit surrounded by bush, the couple said that parking at the Tamarind Hotel is almost impossible for visitors, all of which they reported, but no satisfaction was given. On top of that, they said they could not get internet in the unit, something SMN News experienced while in the unit Wednesday evening.

When the couple checked in, Different Paradise Rental handled the cash payment. The couple explained that they were told on Wednesday that the company would refund them, but they do not know how much or when. In a follow-up statement, the couple said that they were not reimbursed and that they received several text messages from the owner of the unit, who told them that they did not expect "black people" like them to make the situation public and that they were trying to help out." The couple said that they were in UNIT 11 at the TAMARIND HOTEL. They said they intend to contact bookings.com when they return to the USA today.

 A video of the apartment can be found here.