March 2012

U.S. Virgin Islands Governor John P. de Jongh  De Jongh has executed an executive order this past week laying the groundwork for new economic and cosmetic renewal projects in historic towns on St Croix and St Thomas.

“The United States Virgin Islands recognizes the importance of revitalizing these once-vibrant towns with an infusion of new business and economic opportunities, to renew their physical appearance, and to rejuvenate and diversify the local economy by providing incentives for business relocation and job creation,” de Jongh said in the order.

Accordingly, Government House will establish Enterprise Zones within those towns “in order to attract new businesses and provide incentives for investment in order to sustain the future preservation of these towns for the People of the Virgin Islands.”Continue Reading Governor Promotes Urban Renewal with Tax Benefits

In the current down economy, as government and private sector employees continue to lose their jobs, many are worried about losing their homes too.  To help, U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Donna Christensen has aggregated multiple federal programs to help people stay in their homes.

"Several homeowners have called or emailed my office asking about federal programs that can assist them, as they will be out of income and unable to maintain their mortgages," Christensen said in a written statement. "There are programs in the departments of Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture (Rural Development) and the Small Business Administration that can be helpful."

Continue Reading Territory Offers Foreclosure Prevention Programs

In response to the closure of the HOVENSA oil refinery, the United States Virgin Islands single largest private employer, the Territory’s Delagate to Congresss, Donna Christensen, is pursuing an Economic Disaster Declaration by President Obama.

“I know that is what the car industry got, and while this is on a smaller scale, for our territory, with its 110,000 population to lose over 2,000 jobs and its main supplier of energy, it is an economic disaster,” she said in a meeting with Department of Commerce officials this past week.Continue Reading USVI Delegate Appeals to President Obama for Declaration