A majority of senators voted to adopt rules that will govern their tenure in the 34th Legislature and made changes to the composition of four standing committees on Monday afternoon, January 25, 2021 during Legislative Session at the Capitol Building. The meeting of the full body was a continuation of their first held on January […]
Government
Veterans Opportunity for COVID-19 Vaccination
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System will be offering COVID-19 vaccinations to the following groups of Veterans: Veterans eligible for and receiving care at VA who are 55 years of age or older Veterans that are Hemodialysis, Chemotherapy, Spinal Cord patients Veterans that are Organ Transplant patients Homeless Veterans Veterans that are First Responders (EMT, Police, […]
SBA Extends COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Deadline through Dec. 31, 2021
WASHINGTON— The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to Dec. 31, 2021. The deadline extension comes as a result of the recent bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress and enacted by President Trump on […]
Vision 2040 – Take the Survey
The Vision 2040 Business Survey is intended for owners of businesses located or operating in the U.S. Virgin Islands. All survey input is confidential and results will be aggregated and summarized. The information from this survey will be used to identify critical issues facing businesses in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which will be used to […]
Holiday Business & Safety Tips
The VIPD reminds businesses that the holiday season has arrived which means restaurants and stores may have a bit more foot traffic and cash on-hand which often results in an uptick in crime. Robbers target restaurants and stores with lax security and untrained employees. As business owners and managers, you are encouraged to stay alert […]
St Croix Chamber of Commerce Supports Tax Amnesty Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Bill would encourage residents and businesses to pay outstanding taxes without imposed penalties. ST CROIX, USVI, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 — The St. Croix Chamber of Commerce strongly supports Bill No. 33-0439 (the “tax amnesty bill”), introduced by Senators Donna Frett-Gregory and Marvin Blyden, which establishes a tax amnesty period until June 30, 2021 for […]
St Croix Chamber of Commerce Opposes Online Gross Receipts Tax Bill
Update: Citing the concerns of his constituents, Senator Novelle E. Francis has withdrawn Amendment No. 33-913 to Bill No. 33-0330 from consideration as of Friday, November 20, 2020. Nov 19, 2020 – The St. Croix Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes Amendment No. 33-913 to Bill No. 33-0330. (the “online tax bill”). The amendment purports to […]
Governor Bryan Says Reopening of Bars and Nightclubs Next Week Is Next Step in Relaxing Restrictions as Pandemic Continues
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During the Government House weekly COVID-19 press briefing, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said the reopening of the Territory’s bars and nightclubs – which becomes effective on Monday, November, 9 – is the next step in relaxing existing restrictions and finding ways to move forward during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Education Commissioner […]
Territory Reverts to Stay-at-Home Orders Monday August 17th at 6:00am
In a 1pm press briefing today, Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. announced to the public that as of Monday August 17 at 6am, the Territory will be rolled back to Phase Orange: Stay at Home Orders. In referencing the surge of positive COVID-19 cases on St Thomas, he noted that it affects the resources of the […]
Governor Bryan Orders Beaches Closed Early This Weekend, Bars to Stop Serving at 11 p.m. Until Further Notice
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — In an effort to mitigate the growing spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Territory, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has ordered all beaches to be closed at 4 p.m. for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and all bars are ordered to stop serving, and alcohol sales Territory-wide are to end […]
Government Agencies Announce Changes to Operations in Response to COVID-19
As of June 19, 2020 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — In an effort to continue to serve residents and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and in adherence to guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virgin Islands Department of Health, several departments and agencies of the Government of […]
VI Office of Veterans Affairs Launches Agency Website
May 18, 2020 The Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs is happy to announce the launching of their agency website. This will be the first of its kind in the modern-day history of the agency. Veterans will now be able to access most services of the agency virtually because of having this website. Being able […]
Congress Passes Fourth Bipartisan Coronavirus Package to Bolster Small Businesses, Farmers and Health Care Needs
“This Legislation Provides Small Business Funding, Supports Hospitals and Farmers, and Invests in Nationwide Testing,” stated Congresswoman Plaskett Washington, DC – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, Chairwoman of the Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $484 billion package to […]
Updated Government Agencies Changes to Normal Operations in Response to COVID-19
As of April 24, 2020 Here are the current operating procedures for Government of the Virgin Islands departments and agencies modifying their operations include: Bureau of Corrections The Bureau of Corrections has suspended in-person visitations at all correctional facilities and all volunteer programs, work details, and furloughs until further notice. For more information, visit boc.vi.gov. Bureau […]
Governor Bryan Sends Proposed Legislation Requesting Up to $60 Million to Fight COVID-19
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has proposed legislation requesting that the Virgin Islands Legislature approve the use of $60 million to supplement government operations in anticipation of a COVID-19 related economic downturn. The 33rd Legislature is scheduled to take Governor Bryan’s proposed legislation up during a legislative session on Friday, March 27, […]
Dept of Agriculture to reopen Saturday Farmers Market amidst COVID-19 crisis
ST. CROIX—Knowing residents, farmers and fishermen look forward to the Saturday farmers market in Estate La Reine, Sen. Allison L. DeGazon reached out to the Department of Agriculture to find out if there was an established protocol for the market. “I have been fielding a lot of calls from farmers about being able to offload […]
St Croix Chamber Opposes WAPA Base Rate Increase
The Board of the St Croix Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the WAPA base rate increase request and continues to take the position that the private sector cannot be relied upon to bail out WAPA due to the Authority’s and the Government of the Virgin Islands’ mismanagement. The United States Virgin Islands Water and […]
Chamber Meets with Governor Regarding JFL
On Thursday, October 31, 2019, the St Croix Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee met with Governor Albert Bryan and his team to discuss moving the Juan F. Luis Hospital to a public/private partnership and restructuring to a Hospital-Owned Physician Practice Mode. This recommendation stems from the Juan F. Luis Hospital’s (JFL) decades-long financial struggles further […]
Government of the Virgin Islands Pays All Outstanding Debt Owed to WAPA
Administration takes action to help lower electricity costs, prevent rate increases to consumers U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS–Governor Albert Bryan Jr, announced Wednesday, along with the Department of Finance (DOF), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that all outstanding prior years and current year bills owed to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority by […]
Chamber Survey Reveals Hardships Experienced by Businesses & Public Sector Due to High Energy Costs
On July 24, 2019, a survey was sent out the Membership of the St Croix Chamber of Commerce and the greater US Virgin Islands public related to the recently proposed WAPA base rate increase to be reviewed by the PSC on July 30, 2019. Given the unreliability of the utility, especially as of late, with […]
