AS PART OF its efforts to breathe new life into Bridgetown, the Revitalization of Bridgetown Initiative (TRBI), a project of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) has embarked on a quest to improve lighting in the City.
This will be achieved through a private street lighting programme to address one of the major problems which stakeholders have identified. The improved lighting is expected to alleviate security concerns and to have a positive economic impact on retail, food and beverage, entertainment and cultural sub sectors after regular business hours.
The private street lighting project will assist with achieving TRBI’s primary goal of developing projects and activities to protect and grow the existing 1 400 businesses and 7 000 employees and to provide an environment for new job and entrepreneurial opportunities. This will further the overarching goal to transform Bridgetown into a 24-hour city of diversity, to expand Bridgetown’s economic base and promote international competitiveness.
“In an effort to reduce the City’s carbon footprint, improve sustainability and reduce energy use, we have partnered with Caribbean LED Lighting to install energy efficient LED (light-emitting diode) street lights within the City and its environs. LED lights appear brighter than traditional street lights, have a longer lifespan, lower maintenance costs and greater energy savings,” TRBI project coordinator Fabianna Alexander explained.
She said the project would demonstrate tangible action and provide necessary lighting for shoppers, workers and businesses with late hours during the Christmas season not only on the main streets but also in some of the car parks. Improved lighting will also help to change the perception of insecurity into one of vibrancy, security and ultimately hope for many of micro, small and medium sized businesses based in the City.
LED lights will be installed on private buildings within the UNESCO World Heritage Site and connected to the electrical panel of the respective businesses with the prior approval of the property owner(s). The streets which have been identified in this phase of the project include but are not limited to Jubilee Gardens, High Street, Tudor Street, Roebuck Street, Wharf Road, Broad Street, Hincks Street and Cavans Lane. The next phase which will see lights being installed in all street and alleys in the City.
To encourage businesses to get on-board with the programme, Alexander said that a 150 per cent tax rebate is available. Many businesses who could benefit from this opportunity to install LED street light fittings are unable to do so given the current economic climate, therefore, BCCI has sought to sensitize its membership of Corporate Social Responsibility with a view to obtain sponsorship for businesses in need of assistance with purchase and installation costs.
“Businesses can opt to sponsor the purchase and installation of lights on an entire street(s) or a set of lights within a given area and in return, will have the opportunity to display their brand on the streets that they have supported,” she added.
“Participating companies are eligible for 150 per cent tax rebate under Section 12E of the Income Tax Act, which government has provided to all companies that make cash contributions to TRBI through the Tourism Development Corporation of Barbados,” Alexander said.
It is envisaged that Bridgetown and its Historic Garrison area will be fully lit, encouraging pedestrian traffic and other social activity and overall creating a safer, more pleasant City. (PR)
