The Construction Association of Bermuda has said the 35th America’s Cup must “continue uninterrupted and with the full support of all Bermuda sectors”.

A spokeswoman for the association said that any disruptions to the event “would set a globally recognised precedent that will brand Bermuda and diminish future capacity to secure major events and projects,” adding that the loss of revenues and employment “could be staggering.”

The comments came after the Bermuda Industrial Union threatened to derail the sailing event through work stoppages if the Reverend Nicholas Tweed’s work permit was not renewed and if the airport deal in its current form is not taken off the table.

The association voiced its support of the public private partnership airport deal saying local construction companies and Bermudian employees would receive “maximum benefit.”

Among the key points made were that those who are protesting the airport deal on the basis that there was no tendering process were not speaking on behalf of the majority of construction companies.

“CAOB is confident every possible measure is being taken to ensure our members have maximum opportunity to provide supplies and services to the General Contractor which will result in an estimated 300 job opportunities for Bermudians.

“Aecon, CAOB and the Department of Workforce Development are working collaboratively to ensure the local population has the trades credentials and specialised training to meet contract requirements.

“To ensure sustainability, CAOB continues to collaborate with the government, Department of Workforce Development and educational institutions to facilitate construction-related training for Bermuda students, the unemployed and underemployed.

“To further ensure sustainability, as the NCCER accredited training sponsor, CAOB is facilitating train-the-trainer courses to ensure Bermuda has an inventory of qualified trades trainers.”

Among the association’s concerns over recent protests were delays in scheduled training and local tendering, loss or delayed contracts and lost or delayed employment for Bermudians. Further, Bermuda would be perceived as unwelcoming to international investment and claimed that Bermuda had been misguided by “negative opinions and actions”.

As for the America’s Cup, the association pointed to “millions of design and build dollars that have been injected into the local economy”.

The spokeswoman added: “While CAOB does not have access to specific budgets, we understand additional work valued well into the millions of dollars is still required before the event, all of which will be performed by local contractors.

“America’s Cup is a global demonstration of Bermuda’s strengths and abilities. It can be the catalyst to bring more international events of this scope to Bermuda. Interruptions by disenfranchised citizens will tarnish Bermuda’s reputation and possibly negate the years of efforts by Bermudians to ensure the success of the event. Future events of this scope will become unattainable, crippling future growth in the tourism sector, which is currently in a very vulnerable stage of recovery.

“Related developments, such as Morgan’s Point, have generated local jobs. Currently, local contractors employ 54 Bermudians and only five work permit holders. The General Contractor has contracted local companies and hired Bermudians to the satisfaction of the CAOB.”