A group of driven young adults are preparing to assist their peers reach their potential now that the Senate has passed an order giving them a quarter of a million dollars.

On Wednesday the senators passed the Economic Development Order, which will set up Bermuda’s first economic empowerment zone where businesses will be able to enjoy the lowest rate of payroll tax available.

Businesses in the area - bordered by Cedar Avenue to the west, the Pembroke Canal to the north, King Street to the east and Victoria Street to the south - are already able to get preferential borrowing rates from lending institutions, tax incentives and other forms of development incentives.

Part of the order included a $250,000 grant to Youth on the Move, who are based in the area. The founders Carlton Simmons and Jahnika Simons told The Royal Gazette that their group aimed to encourage networking, positive social interaction, self awareness and entrepreneurship among the young adults of Bermuda. They want to reach out to the “forgotten generation” - people aged 21 to 40 - and provide them with the tools and support to forge a future on the Island.

The two formed the group after a chance meeting in a bar. Carlton overheard Jahnika discussing her plans to open an online lingerie boutique with businessmen. He said: “They didn’t seem very interested and kept telling her it wouldn’t work and wouldn’t make money in Bermuda. These were older men who have already made their careers telling a young Bermudian not to bother. That irritated me because I could see she was really set on making it work.”

Later that evening Carlton approached her and told her he thought the idea had as good a shot as any of working and told her to remain confident. The two then spoke for hours about their views on Bermuda’ politics, economy and their belief that young adults receive little support to achieve their dreams and be successful.

Jahnika explained that this would take many forms, in particular they are interested in helping people looking to open their own businesses.”We want to be able to help people write out their business plans, obtain a loan and get legal advice,” she said. “We think more Bermudians should open business so the Island can become more self sufficient.

“Bermudians hustle, that’s what we do. People look at the guys selling stuff like CDs on the side of the road and think ‘well what is he doing’ but he is trying. We want to tap into that, he has the skills and we want to help him take it to the next level.

“There is no reason why we can’t have successful Bermudian run companies.”

And Carlton said the group would also be looking at getting young Bermudians to a basic level where they can be employed and provide them with basic tools - something it appears that their parents and schools never instilled. “I have taken one guy to TCD, helped him fill out forms and get a licence. Then we walked to the bank and I sat with him when he opened a bank account. After that we went to a cell phone company and got him a pre-paid phone. These are basic things, you can’t get a job without proof of identification, bank details and a way to be contacted.

“And if that is what it takes, going around Bermuda and getting the ‘wall sitters’ off the walls and walking them through the process we will do it.”

So far the group has not unveiled the full scope of their plans, choosing to wait till they have a proper opening ceremony later in the summer. One of the things they were waiting on was obtaining the funds, something they should now be able to do since the Senate passed the Economic Order. However, they haven’t been sitting on their laurels either, the group has been involved in Bermuda Race Relations Initiative - a series of workshops discussing race relations in Bermuda.

They have also organised a series of movies on race at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute to facilitate similar discussions among young adults. The next and final film of the series will be shown on June 9 and starts at 7 p.m.

For more information about attending the film or joining the group contact Carlton Simmons at 535-9662.