Hamilton, Bermuda 5 December 2022 – The BEDC’s Economic & Cooperative Development Unit is issuing a “Request for Interest” for developing an agricultural cooperative (coop) or collaborative located on Government owned Walsingham agricultural lands in Hamilton Parish.
The site consists of a derelict cottage and approximately one acre of agricultural land currently overgrown and in disuse. The BEDC is interested in reviewing submissions from individuals and organizations interested in coops and bringing agricultural land back into production in creative and practical ways.
The BEDC is seeking a partner(s) to establish one or more coops housed on the one-acre plot of agricultural land at Walsingham. Ideas for this coop should focus on the needs of the community.
Some ideas that interested persons can consider for the site include but are not limited to:
- Creation of a destination hot spot with agriculture, food, entertainment, and community
- A purpose-built facility to house a commercial kitchen, bar, and bathrooms
- Design of farm-to-table amenities with a farm store to sell produce grown on site
- Agriculture business incubation models for youth and seniors
- Agriculture technology-focused building project with community linkages
The RFI includes the full scope and opportunities relating to the Walsingham project. Once suitable partners are selected, the BEDC will provide intensive cooperative training and business planning assistance and assist with clearing the land to bring it back into production.
Interested persons can arrange a supervised site visit by emailing both wspriggs@bedc.bm and jstarling@bedc.bm. For more information about this opportunity, review the complete Request for Interest package online at www.bedc.bm.
The form can be submitted electronically by following the link below:
The submission deadline is January 16th, 2023 by 5pm.
About BEDC
Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is Bermuda’s premier source of free confidential business advice for entrepreneurs. The mission is to serve Bermuda’s local business community with the highest degree of professionalism by providing, authoritative business advice; counsel and financial support. Bermuda Business Starts Here! For more information visit www.bedc.bm.
