The planned 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is one of a select few such top-tier Nicklaus courses in the world. Vanderpool-Wallace pointed out that the start of the project comes as the first phase of the Lynden Pindling International Airport redevelopment comes to an end. The official opening was held on Friday. Baha Mar represents a direct benefit to The Bahamas through the creation of 12,000 new jobs and the corresponding contribution of more than $305 million in annual wages. According to projections, Baha Mar will help raise the average annual income for a Bahamian family from $29,000 to $33,500, and in its first year of operations will contribute almost $1 billion to the local economy. Baha Mar's long-term benefits to The Bahamas also include $4.7 billion in tax revenue and a GDP contribution of $11.2 billion over a 20-year period. Nassau Guardian