Thirty-four men received funding through the Small Business Development Centre’s (SBDC) Men in Business initiative, with a total of $314,457.25 awarded during the grant announcement held at the SBDC Offices on Gladstone Road on Friday, March 13, 2026. The initiative is designed to fuel the growth of men-owned businesses across the country.

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, “These awardees come from a wide range of industries across our economy, including agriculture, arts and crafts, automotive services, beauty, cleaning, construction, courier and delivery, education, energy, entertainment, fishing, fitness, food and beverage, landscaping, media, photography and videography, printing and signage, professional services, real estate, security, technology, tourism, transportation, and waste management.”

The Prime Minister said, “Some are building established businesses. Some are starting out. Eighteen are existing businesses operating for more than a year; sixteen are startups.”

He noted that much of this support will go toward production equipment and business supplies so these entrepreneurs can strengthen and expand their operations.

The Prime Minister also commended the SBDC for building the initiative in a way that speaks to the full man, as it goes beyond just giving a cheque.

“It includes Business Blueprint training. It includes Builder’s Lab masterclasses. It includes mentorship.”

He said, “It includes the chance for men to build confidence, sharpen their thinking, improve communication, strengthen leadership skills, and prepare for further financing as their businesses grow.”  

The Prime Minister said that leadership carries a duty to widen access, create opportunity, and give people a fair chance to rise.

He said, “Too many young men have spent years feeling counted out, pushed aside, or left to figure life out on their own.

“That has cost us dearly as a country.  We have to change that.

“We have to continue building a Bahamas where more young men can see a path in front of them.  We have to build a Bahamas where more young men can find support before they lose hope.  We have to build a Bahamas where more young men can move with confidence toward honest work, enterprise, fatherhood, service, and purpose.”

The Prime Minister said, “We will reverse the trend together through young men who choose discipline over drift, growth over excuses, and purpose over self-doubt.”

Minister of Economic Affairs, Sen. the Hon. Michael Halkitis; Executive Director, SBDC, Samantha Rolle and mentors for the initiative joined the grantees at the grant announcement.

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