Bermudians who get a job at the proposed $2 billion Morgan’s Point resort will be offered staff housing, Deputy Premier Derrick Burgess has pledged.He said that should prove a “major incentive” in persuading locals to pursue a career in the hotel industry in the coming years.The Public Works Minister said the facility, to be built in stages over 20 years, would provide a huge boost to the Island’s economy and not just because of the visitors it would attract.“Beneficiaries will also include the Island’s construction industry, which has experienced a recent downturn,” he said.“Bermudian construction workers will rejoice at the new opportunities that the Morgan’s Point resort redevelopment initiative will bring.“Of course, there will also be numerous employment opportunities at the resort once it becomes operational, including entrepreneurial opportunities, whereby Bermudians might operate retail establishments, sporting activities and the like. In summary, the economic benefits of the new resort are legion.”Mr Burgess was speaking in the House of Assembly during debate on the Morgan’s Point Resort Act 2011, which was approved by MPs, paving the way for developers to start work on the long-awaited project at the former US Naval Annex.The Minister said the legislation would “arguably give rise to the most significant tourism development in the Island’s history: a five-star level or above resort that will do much to re-establish Bermuda’s position as a jewel in the crown of tourism resorts and destinations”.The three Bermudians behind the resort proposal are chartered accountant Craig Christensen, businessman Nelson Hunt and global reinsurance chief Brian Duperreault. Little more than a year ago, they were involved in a very public row with former Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown, who complained their initial proposal had “too much concrete” for the brownfield site. The project approved by MPs on Monday would take up less than nine percent of the footprint of the 240-acre former base land on the border between Southampton and Sandys.Last February, a Government spokesman, who would not be named, said the three men were “running around pretending to be hotel developers” when none had ever developed a tourist resort before. But Mr Burgess was full of praise for the trio during Monday’s debate.He said: “The Government’s unwavering support for the Morgan’s Point initiative flows from its commitment to improve the Island’s tourism product.“But it flows also from the fact that the principals of Southlands Resort Ltd, now Morgan’s Point Ltd...are three Bermudians, individuals who through a great deal of personal sacrifice are demonstrating their confidence in the future of Bermuda tourism. They are to be heartily thanked and applauded in this regard.”Government also appears to have changed its view of Ontario-based golf course designer Doug Carrick.In February 2010, the Government spokesman said Mr Carrick was not enough of a household name to create the golf course for Morgan’s Point.But Mr Burgess confirmed on Monday that Mr Carrick’s firm would create the new resort’s “magnificent par 71 golf course” measuring just over 6,700 yards.He said the company was “one of Canada’s leading designers of golf courses, whose courses regularly win best new golf course awards”.The Deputy Premier told MPs that Morgan’s Point Ltd had already provided documented proof that the necessary funding for phase one of the development was available.He said Eric Weinberg, CEO of Guggenheim Venture Partners, a global, independent, privately held, diversified financial services firm with more than $100 billion in assets under supervision, was on board.The overseas development partners are Egbert Perry, CEO of the Atlanta-based Integral Group, and John Ryan. The architects are Bermuda-based Botelho Wood and overseas company WATG. A Morgan’s Point spokesperson said: “The Morgan’s Point team is pleased that the bill has passed so readily.“Although it has been a long road, we never lost sight of our vision to bring a first class hotel resort and development to Bermuda.“Now that the passing of the bill is behind us the real work begins. We look forward to bringing our dream to fruition and creating the kind of facility that all Bermudians can be proud of.”