David Schnittger of Squire Patton Boggs outlined the significant hurdles they faced last year in progressing the U.S. Virgin Islands’ policy objectives within a highly partisan environment in Washington. During a recent meeting with the V.I. Public Finance Authority Board, Schnittger explained, “Our efforts in 2023 were dedicated to navigating through the legislative gridlock to advance the agenda of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”

A primary focus for Schnittger’s team was advocating for the permanent extension of rum cover-over rates. He described this effort as a vivid example of the broader congressional stagnation affecting the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. “The 118th Congress has found it challenging to pass legislation across the board, leaving critical initiatives like the rum cover-over extension stalled,” he remarked.

In response to the legislative standstill, Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s Washington representative, Terry Helenese, has established a weekly working group addressing the cover-over issue. This group includes key stakeholders from both the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, as well as industry representatives.

Beyond legislative advocacy, Squire Patton Boggs has successfully promoted the territory’s policy goals on sustainable energy and economic development by collaborating with federal entities such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

Concurrently, the law firm Winston & Strawn is striving to overcome congressional obstacles by working with V.I. Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett. Their goal is to secure earmarks in forthcoming appropriations bills that would fund necessary studies by the Army Corps of Engineers for the dredging of the Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted harbors, a step essential for their re-federalization and subsequent maintenance by the USACE.

Moreover, Winston & Strawn is actively pursuing equitable solutions for the residents of the Virgin Islands, focusing on issues like the unavailability of Supplemental Security Income and the rigid funding cap on Medicaid. “Advocating for fair medical treatment remains a cornerstone of our efforts,” stated Winston & Strawn partner Bryant Gardner.

Despite these extensive efforts by the territory’s representatives in Washington, the members of the PFA board were informed that achieving several key policy goals for the Virgin Islands still hinges on breaking through the ongoing legislative deadlock.

The Cyril E. King International Airport in St. Thomas has been earmarked for significant infrastructure upgrades, thanks to a generous $12.5 million grant from the Biden administration. This financial boost is directed at augmenting the airport’s resilience in the face of the escalating threats posed by climate change.

Announced on Thursday, this grant is a segment of a broader federal initiative distributing nearly $830 million across 80 projects nationwide. These projects are strategically chosen to reinforce the transportation infrastructure against the adverse effects of extreme weather conditions, including but not limited to flooding, sea-level rise, and heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to the climate crisis.

This initiative springs from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, utilizing funds allocated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program.

Secretary Pete Buttigieg, along with FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt, emphasized the critical nature of these investments. The duo pointed out the growing threats that climate change poses to the nation’s transportation networks. “America’s transportation infrastructure is increasingly compromised by extreme weather events, ranging from wildfires in California that disrupt freight rail lines to flooding subways in New York. These events not only impede mobility but also threaten economic stability by disrupting supply chains,” Buttigieg remarked.

The project earmarked for the Virgin Islands will concentrate on restoring around 460 feet of shoreline at the airport. This initiative aims to curb flooding and combat shoreline erosion, ensuring the continued operation of both the airport and the adjacent petroleum facility that serves as a vital aviation fuel source during emergencies.

This funding initiative is part of the Biden Administration’s extensive efforts to bolster climate resilience. Over $50 billion has been earmarked for various climate resilience and adaptation projects through legislative measures, showcasing a committed stride towards protecting the nation’s infrastructure from climate-induced challenges and ensuring uninterrupted economic growth.

In a significant advancement for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the recent approval of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024 by the House of Representatives heralds a substantial financial boost for local initiatives, thanks to the efforts of Delegate Stacey Plaskett. Plaskett announced the inclusion of twelve Community Project Funding Requests from her office in the federal bill, highlighting her commitment to enhancing education, healthcare, community development, and economic opportunities for the territory’s vulnerable populations.

Upon the anticipated Senate approval and President Joe Biden’s signature, the legislation will channel more than $10 million into the Virgin Islands for various critical community projects. Beneficiaries include notable entities such as the St. Croix Foundation, My Brother’s Workshop, and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, each tasked with implementing projects that aim to foster community well-being and economic resilience.

Deanna James, Executive Director of the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development, praised the funding as a testament to the impact of civic-public partnerships in catalyzing significant social change in underserved areas. The Foundation is set to receive $1 million to rejuvenate affordable housing and commercial spaces in Christiansted, underscoring the initiative’s potential to transform local communities.

Similarly, St. Croix Farmers in Action will utilize their $1 million allocation to refurbish essential water infrastructure at the Bethlehem Sugar Factory site, enhancing agricultural resilience against drought conditions. Kareem Edwards, a board member, emphasized the project’s critical importance to St. Croix’s agricultural sector.

The funding extends to a diverse array of projects across the U.S. Virgin Islands:

• Lord God of Sabaoth Evangelical Lutheran Church is allocated $1,666,279 to increase affordable housing and activate essential services for Christiansted’s disadvantaged populations.
• My Brother’s Workshop receives $1,000,000 for constructing a facility that will bolster education and workforce development.
• The Virgin Islands Architecture Center for Built Heritage and Crafts is awarded $850,000 to transform a historical site into an educational center for traditional building crafts.
• Caribbean Centers for Boys & Girls of the Virgin Islands gets $1,000,000 for the rehabilitation of youth centers damaged by hurricanes.
• The Department of Planning and Natural Resources is allocated $510,000 for renovations and solar lighting at the Gustave Quetel Fish Market.
• World Ocean School will use $850,000 for the educational refurbishment of the Roseway, a National Historic Landmark.
• The Army Corps of Engineers receives funding for projects improving navigation in Christiansted and Charlotte Amalie Harbors.
• Coral World Ocean and Reef Initiative is granted $438,000 to study and mitigate the impacts of sargassum on marine life.
• An additional $963,000 goes to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources for addressing harmful sargassum algal blooms.

This allocation underscores a forward-thinking approach to enhancing the U.S. Virgin Islands’ resilience and sustainability, marking a pivotal moment for community development in the territory.