What is The Berry Island Association?

The Berry Island Association (BIA) is a non-profit established in 2012 to:

“Promote a prosperous, attractive, and happy community in all its diversity.

Promote the further development of the Berry Islands in a desirable and sustainable way.

Support education, conservation, and health as an important means of achieving the above”.

The board includes the chief councillor, a representative of the local business community, a tourism representative, and both part-time and permanent island residents.

The BIA is primarily a lobbying organization that supports local government, and seeks to build consensus within the community for improvements that have to come from the central government in Nassau. The airport, roads, power plant, telecommunications, and clinic are examples.

In addition, the BIA facilitates desirable services and projects that the island can fund on its own by providing publicity, fund raising, and accounting.

Examples are the mosquito control program, the volunteer fire brigade, a vocational training fund, and currently road repair.

These are stand alone projects, run by volunteers, that can only be realized if you vote for them with your wallet. This ensures that you only pay for what you want, and that beneficial projects have the best possible chance of succeeding. The result is that we enjoy a range of important services, at modest cost, that no other small family island can equal.

The BIA also provides support for private projects such as the reverse osmosis water plant at the school where children now have access to free drinking water, and a walk- in cooler at the A&L grocery allowing for improved availability of fruit and vegetables on the island. Financing was provided by a family, and management by the BIA.

Please look out for the BIA annual letter around the end of January each year. The request for dues is found at the end of the letter.

The Berry Island Association is not an HOA but an effort to help make our community the best it can be.