Dillon Knowles on Reviving Freeport

Dillon Knowles on Reviving Freeport

Author: Mark Lutter September 25, 2025 Duration: 1:05:08

Grand Bahama’s Freeport is often left out of the origin story of special economic zones—but it shouldn’t be. In this episode, Mark sits down with Dillon F. Knowles, President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, to trace Freeport’s beginnings under the 1955 Hawksbill Creek Agreement—arguably the first modern free trade zone—through its Vegas-on-the-Atlantic heyday and the slowdown that followed the 1967 “bend or break” speech.

Knowles explains how a city master-planned for 300,000 people (on an island nearly 2× the size of Singapore) ended up with ~40–50k residents, why tourism shifted from high-rollers to cruise lines, how hurricanes and policy ambiguity compounded the challenge, and why legal certainty plus investor-government alignment could unlock a renaissance. We cover today’s flashpoints (e.g., the $350M tax shortfall claim and arbitration), outline pragmatic reforms to “modernize Hawksbill,” and sketch a credible growth thesis for Freeport—spanning ports, hospitality, residential, and high-skill jobs.

If you care about zones, governance, and city-building, this is a case study you can’t miss.


Imagine a new city, built from the ground up with a unique set of rules designed to foster innovation, economic growth, and a better quality of life. This isn't just a thought experiment; it's the concept of a charter city, and it's the central focus of the Charter Cities Podcast. Hosted by Mark Lutter, these conversations dig into the practical and philosophical questions surrounding these ambitious urban projects. How might they address pressing global issues like rapid urbanization, entrenched poverty, and the complex dynamics of migration? To find answers, Lutter sits down with a diverse array of thinkers and practitioners. You'll hear from specialists in international development, urban planners, investors, entrepreneurs, and governance experts, each bringing a crucial piece of the puzzle. The discussions are grounded and detailed, moving beyond theory to examine the real-world mechanics of financing, building, and governing new cities. This podcast doesn't offer simple solutions, but rather provides a nuanced exploration of a bold idea for human organization. It's for anyone curious about the future of cities, the intersection of policy and innovation, or the structures that shape our collective lives. Through these in-depth interviews, the Charter Cities Podcast builds a comprehensive understanding of a concept that could redefine how communities are built in the coming century.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 92

Charter Cities Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Michael Muthukrishna on Cultural Evolution and the Human Advantage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:30
In this episode of the Charter Cities Podcast, Mark speaks with Michael Muthukrishna, Associate Professor of Economic Psychology at LSE, about how cultural evolution explains the rise of human civilization. They explore…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 4: Patri Friedman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:24
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter is joined by Patri Friedman, a pioneer in the new cities movement. As the founder of the Seasteading Institute and Managing Partner at Pronomos Capital, Patri ha…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 3: Isaiah Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:49
Isaiah Taylor, CEO and Founder of Valar Atomics, joins the Freedom Cities Podcast to discuss their game-changing advancements in nuclear energy. Learn about their $19 million seed round, their first reactor project in th…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 2: Edward Pinto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:46
In this episode of the Freedom Cities Podcast, Edward Pinto discusses his work at the American Enterprise Institute Housing Center, focusing on the housing supply crisis and potential solutions. He emphasizes the importa…
Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 1: Joshua Abbotoy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:26
Welcome to the Freedom Cities Podcast, a short-form series by the Charter Cities Institute & the Frontier Foundation. In each episode, we sit down with innovators, entrepreneurs & thought leaders to explore how Freedom C…
Nick Allen on Freedom Cities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:44
In this episode, Nick Allen from the Frontier Foundation delves into the concept of Freedom Cities, highlighting their potential to rejuvenate American urban landscapes and industries. He explores the historical context…