I have been thinking about setting up my art studio in BZ --- AC preferably. I would need 3-4 locals to help part and full time. Sell local tourists and export into USA. What are the prospects and procedures of living and working on AC under these circumstances?

The island can always use more artists and employment of locals. Other than the issue of a work permit, I think you will find your business would be welcomed. You are welcome to contact the Chamber of Commerce for specific questions and discussion at dolphin@btl.net

When thinking of
" what business does Bleize NEED"

what comes to mind

for someone who has the money to open a biz and hire locals, what would be a good GO!

Hello Paintman,

Yes, artists of all kinds are always a great addition to the island. If you can guarantee a few jobs and (even better) training and education for a few locals in artistic fields (for export you say - even better), I'll buy you a beer or twenty.
About the possibilities: Well, there are about as many opinions as there are people here. Dolphin knows what he's talking about, so take advantage of his offer to help...

Halle,

Sounds like you need to come down here on vacation for a few weeks to see what this place is about. Once you've done that you'll be in a much better position to determine what kind of opportunites are available and how you could contribute to the community.

Hey Paintman,
I'm an underwater photographer. Would you like a studiomate? Contact me offlist at danimal_57@yahoo.com and let's talk.

Dan

SimonB
thank you - Im sorry i forgot I asked this ? here and re asked in a differnt post.
I am planning a vacation and trying to get more of a heads up before I come to be able to vacation as well as take time out to get to know all the different areas and see what is available and not.

I was thinking with locals they might know off hand , what the ywould like to see NEW there or more of.
thank you for your kind help!
Halle

Hard to say, the last thing I could think of that we needed was a bookstore and low and behold we now have one. A movie theather would be nice, I'm told that there was one a long time ago at what is now Jaguar's. Although we have enough restaurants already an authentic Indian restaurant would do very well I'm betting.

A kayak/camping tour company that did a circuit of the island and some of the back cayes might work if not for the mosquitoes and you'd have to make arrangements with land owners. You'd have to have a Belizean partner/guide with a tour guide license.

In general the following are out due to saturation, if it helps: bars, restaurants, dive shops, T-shirt type gift shops (unless it's your own art).

You know what! A decent upscale pool hall would be killer and would probably be full every night. Combine it with the Indian food and many would worship you.

The kids would love to have a legitimate rollerblade/skateboard park but I think you'd end up poor.

hey simon i think they had a movie theater a few years ago called Brown Sugar movie theater.

Well... not exactly what I would refer to as a real movie theater. It was a big screen TV showing DVD's from what I recall. Copyright issues forced it to shut down.