Good afternoon, Deputy Premier, Minister Burch, Area MPs from St David’s Minister Tinee Furbert & Lovita Foggo, MP Neville Tyrell, representatives from Google, members of the team from the Bermuda Land Management Company, members of the media and the people of Bermuda.
It is a pleasure to be here today as we take a meaningful step forward in Bermuda’s journey toward economic diversification and digital transformation. Today’s signing of the lease agreement with Google is more than just an infrastructure project—it is an investment in our future, one that will enhance our global connectivity, drive innovation, and create new opportunities for Bermudians.
As a government, we have always believed in Southside's potential to become a hub for technology and innovation. In our 2017 election platform, we laid out a vision to transform this area into a technology hub by leveraging Bermuda’s regulatory environment to foster economic diversification and create opportunities for Bermudians in this growing industry.
In addition, in 2019, the Government recognised the importance of subsea cables to global connectivity and the leading role that Bermuda could play in this vital sector. We began laying the legal framework for a new subsea cable industry on our shores and taking the first steps in ensuring Bermuda was positioned as an attractive destination for global tech companies to land their infrastructure projects.
There is a bible verse that says: “For the vision is yet for the appointed time…Though it delays, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay long.”
Change does not happen overnight, and progress requires vision, dedication, and perseverance. This Government believed we could deliver on this initiative and committed to seeing it through, though we knew it would take time. We did this because we also knew it would bring about positive benefits for Bermudians and our economy.
Today, we are seeing that vision, set out by this Government, begin to become a reality, with one the largest technology companies on the planet making a long-term investment in our island, our community, and our people. This partnership and this project is not just about infrastructure—it is about opportunity. The signing of this lease agreement with Google represents more than just an investment in technology; it is an investment in Bermuda and those who call Bermuda home.
This partnership will create high-quality jobs, and will create training programs that will equip our people with the skills they need to thrive in a growing digital economy.
It will also open doors for local businesses to benefit from increased economic activity and will benefit the community of St. David’s. It will enhance Bermuda’s position as a global technology hub, attracting further investment and innovation to our shores. And through collaboration in education we will ensure that our students have access to new programmes that will equip them with the tools to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Companies like Google do not make 25 to 40-year commitments lightly. This agreement is a testament to Bermuda’s stability, sound governance, and strategic importance to the global digital economy.
I extend my sincere thanks to all those who have worked tirelessly to bring us to this moment. To the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Walter Roban, I commend you for your steadfast leadership in seeing this initiative through over a number of years, along with former Permanent Secretary Ms Rozy Azhar and the Ministry of Home Affairs team.
To the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Lt. Col. David Burch, for your belief in and support of this project, as well as the Ministry of Public Works team and the Bermuda Land Management Corporation for their technical expertise. I also recognise MP Foggo, Chair of the BLDC before the merger, and MP Tyrell Chair of the Bermuda Land Management Company.
To the Bermuda Business Development Agency, thank you for your continued advocacy in promoting Bermuda as a key player in global infrastructure and I recognise Ms Fiona Beck, for her work with the BDA as well.
And to our partners at Google represented here today by Mr Lee Livingston (Director, Global Networks Acquisition), Mr Mike Lindstedt (Strategic Negotiator), Mr Javier Goas (Technical Programme Manager), to their counsel Mr Jerome Wilson, thank you for your work, thank you choosing Bermuda and for your commitment to investing in our shared future.
Today, we are showing what can be achieved when our island has a Government that remains focused on a long-term vision and creating opportunities for Bermudians.
Thank you and it is my pleasure to hand over the podium to the Deputy Premier, the Hon. Walter Roban to share a few words.