Bill No. 35-0262, which aims to allocate $1.4 million for pre-construction costs in preparation for the dredging of the Charlotte Amalie Harbor, successfully advanced on Thursday in the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance. This progress follows an earlier delay caused by miscommunication that led to its removal from the agenda of its initially scheduled hearing.

The governor’s financial team, who did not attend the original meeting, later informed committee chair Senator Donna Frett-Gregory that they mistakenly believed the bill would not be presented. This confusion arose because another agenda item requiring their presence had also been removed. Although officials from the Port Authority were present, Senator Frett-Gregory stated she was “not inclined to proceed…absent of the representatives of the government that have to speak to whether the $1,434,950 is in fact available to be expended from the Community Facilities Trust Fund.”

At the time, the delay frustrated Carlton Dowe, executive director of the V.I. Port Authority. However, the VIPA team can now be relieved as the measure moved forward to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary following assurances from V.I. Public Finance Authority Director Nathan Simmonds.

“We support the appropriation of the $1.4 million for the soft costs,” Mr. Simmonds confirmed. Although only $1.1 million is currently available for appropriation in the fund, the PFA director explained that the fund’s cash balance exceeds $15 million. “We believe that there are substantial appropriations that will not be expended in the remainder of this fiscal year.” Additionally, the PFA expects an additional $3.4 million from the rum tax cover to be contributed to the fund. “Clearly, we can fund this appropriation,” he assured.

The $1.4 million allocation is intended to cover permits and other preliminary actions necessary for the commencement of the dredging work in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Authorities have emphasized that dredging the harbor is crucial to maintaining its capacity and accommodating larger classes of cruise ships. The project is seen as vital for ensuring a competitive edge over other regional tourism destinations.

Senator Marise James announced a new homeownership grant program during a community meeting at the Williams Delight Center on Thursday, May 30, 2024, offering residents a $15,000 grant towards purchasing a home in the community.

This initiative stems from a town hall meeting last year where residents voiced their long-standing challenges in achieving homeownership. After attending another meeting organized by Williams Delight Residents Council President Mariesha Maynard, Senator James proposed the grant program to Governor Albert Bryan Jr. Funded primarily by the American Rescue Plan Act, the program was developed in collaboration with the St. Croix Foundation and the V.I. Housing Authority (VIHA).

While the grant provides substantial financial aid, applicants must still meet VIHA requirements, including completing a home buyers’ education course. To enhance accessibility, an in-person option of the virtual course is being developed.

Senator James emphasized the importance of homeownership for community transformation, stating, “It’s important that all of us get a piece of that dirt, that rock, a little piece of that island. It’s a beautiful island but we all need to have a little piece of it.” The grant aims to help residents build generational wealth and close the economic gap in the territory. With a two-bedroom unit costing only $22,000, the grant reduces the required personal funds to just $7,000 for prospective homeowners.

Reactions among residents varied. While some welcomed the grant, others were skeptical. A local homeowner expressed concerns about the community being used for political gain and suggested a payment plan for existing homeowners struggling with mortgage payments. In response, Senator James acknowledged the challenge of high mortgage payments as “the reality of capitalism” and referred the payment plan suggestion to VIHA for consideration.

Ms. Maynard highlighted issues with sub-standard repairs on some homes, noting that financially constrained residents often had to hire the cheapest contractors. Senator James assured that the grant process would include selecting reliable contractors and ensuring quality inspections to guarantee residents receive full value for the $15,000 grant.

Ms. Maynard closed the meeting by encouraging financial awareness among residents while celebrating the new grant as a significant milestone in their long journey to homeownership. “Williams Delight is my second home—I’ve been running around here from how long with my aunt—but at the end of the day I didn’t do it for me, I do this for ayo,” she said.

The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) has officially submitted its finalized Second Substantial Amendment to the Mitigation Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for review. This amendment, shaped by extensive community feedback from recent public meetings and online forums, is expected to receive a response from HUD by July 2024.

“We are deeply grateful to the Virgin Islands community for their active participation in shaping this plan,” said Dayna Clendinen, VIHFA Chief Disaster Recovery Officer. “By prioritizing and investing in critical infrastructure projects, workforce development, small business growth, and economic stabilization initiatives, we can build a more resilient Virgin Islands. This comprehensive approach strengthens our communities, equips them to withstand future storms, reduces environmental impact, and fosters a thriving future for everyone.”

Key Highlights of the Second Substantial Amendment

Increased Funding for Infrastructure: The amendment increases funding for Infrastructure and Public Facilities from $363 million to $423 million. This additional support will finance the second phase of the Veterans Drive Improvement Project, which includes stormwater improvements, minimized erosion and pollution, and enhanced pedestrian mobility and safety.

Enhanced Economic Resilience Programs: Two new programs have been introduced to bolster economic resilience and revitalization:

• Entrepreneurship Resilience and Innovation Program: Funded at $8 million, this program offers additional support for small businesses.
• Workforce Development Mitigation Program: Also funded at $8 million, this program focuses on critical local training initiatives.

For more details, the finalized Second Amendment to the Mitigation Action Plan can be viewed on the VIHFA website.