The RLJ Companies and Global Building Solutions Form A Joint Venture Company For Economic Development in Haiti

BETHESDA, Md., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The RLJ Companies, LLC ("RLJ"), an innovative business network founded by Robert L. Johnson, and Global Building Solutions, LLC, ("GBS") a structured insulated panel (SIP) manufacturer and international design build group, through their Haiti subsidiaries, have formed a joint venture, Caribbean Opportunity Holdings, to provide an engine for development in North Haiti.  Caribbean Opportunity Holdings will establish a presence in Northern Haiti to allow for immediate development of suitable mass housing and industrial and tourism development following the January 2010 earthquake.

In 2008, RLJ and GBS partnered to develop the RLJ Kendeja Resort and Villas, a four star luxury resort and spa opened in Monrovia, Liberia in March of 2009.  RLJ Kendeja, a 78-room villa style hotel is the first hotel construction completed in the country in twenty-five years.  RLJ Kendeja was built using the proven SIPs technology provided by GBS.  The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) partnered with RLJ in Liberia to fund the debt portion of the hotel financing.

"We believe that our track record working together in Liberia, completing a full service resort from architectural plans to completion in under twelve months, provides us with the expertise to source, develop and complete projects in Northern Haiti where infrastructure is scarce and the earthquake devastation makes business development for a sustainable economy difficult," stated Robert L. Johnson.  

"GBS and RLJ have been successful in Liberia building a local skilled labor force and in many cases creating local companies to act as subcontractors to our project base," noted senior member of the GBS board, Ben Gramling. "We are confident that we can do the same in Haiti and at the same time provide much needed housing quickly and cost effectively."

Caribbean Opportunity Holdings is currently planning for the project launch and funding of its first initiatives – building a SIP panel manufacturing facility in the Cap Haitien area that will provide the construction materials and expertise to develop extensive housing developments. Caribbean Opportunity Holdings plans to focus on tourism, light manufacturing, building trades, and residential development.

About RLJ Companies:

The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets then exercise solid management to achieve results. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio, Johnson owns or holds majority interests in businesses operating in banking, private equity, hospitality, automobile dealerships, entertainment, and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with operations in Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; Little Rock, AR; Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia.  Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET).

About Global Building Solutions

Global Building Solutions, LLC is a project-based company which seeks out unique opportunities globally in order to provide comprehensive ground up project management.  GBS owns and operates manufacturing facilities in Charleston, South Carolina and in Saudi Arabia which produce advanced building materials capable of being exported worldwide.  GBS continually strives to innovate its products and manufacturing processes to create exportable, value-added solutions for its customers and their projects.  GBS has extensive experience in the area of SIP manufacturing, construction, construction management, and finance and project management. GBS's world headquarters are located in Charleston, South Carolina.

    
    
    For media inquiries contact: 
    The RLJ Companies, Traci Blunt 240-744-7858 or [email protected]
    
    For business inquiries contact: 
    The RLJ Companies, Lisa Pickrum 301-280-7703
    Global Building Solutions, Jim Franklin 703-989-9738

SOURCE The RLJ Companies