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by Bahamas Information Services Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Philip Davis said the story of Kelly’s Freeport Ltd. and Grand Bahama are one and the same — that of endurance, perseverance and faith that refuses to break. “Kelly’s never gave up on Grand Bahama and Grand Bahama never gave up on Kelly’s. This company was built on the same foundation that built this island: hard work, family, faith and love for community,” Prime Minister Davis said during Kelly’s Freeport Ltd.’s 60th anniversary celebration at The Stoned Crab Restaurant on November 1, 2025. He stressed that the Bahamian-owned and run company, which has weathered hurricanes, the downturn, floods and those quiet nights when business was slow, represents the power of people who refuse to give up on each other and has always been a family who stands on one simple truth — that we are at our best when we stand together. “Tonight, as we celebrate 60 years of Kelly’s Freeport, we’re celebrating you, the people of Grand Bahama, because this company’s success, it is your success. Every shelf that was restocked after a storm, every customer leaves with a smile, every paycheck those moments add up to something,” he said. Prime Minister Davis said the celebration is not just about Kelly’s but the fact that it represents the belief that no matter how many times one falls, one can rise again and the Kelly family has proven for 60 years that Bahamian ownership is not just possible, it is powerful. Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey joined the business community in congratulating a company that has long been a staple on the island and noted that the celebration is more than a business anniversary, it is a true Bahamian success story as Kelly’s Freeport is not simply a store, but a household name — from the contractors literally building Grand Bahama Island, to homeowners raising their families. “For six decades this company has provided the foundation, the materials and the trust that helped shape our homes, schools and businesses. This is the very definition of a corporate stakeholder, a business whose success is inextricably linked to progress of the people it serves,” she said. She revealed that after Hurricane Dorian, when all was rubble and ruin, the Kelly’s team, moved into immediate action and was determined to get up and running as quickly as possible to serve the community. “Kelly’s comeback story is a beacon of hope, a living, breathing testament to the fact that the Bahamian spirit is one that bends, but does not break. That resolve to rise from the ashes stronger, modernised and more determined is the true significance of their legacy,” Minister Moxey said. (BIS Photos/Andrew Miller)
