Virgin Islands officials attended White House conference on federal funding and recovery projects

Virgin Islands government officials, lawmakers and nonprofit representatives attended the White House Communities in Action Conference in Washington last week, according to a Government House statement published Sept. 26.

The administration said attendees included Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol, Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel, Economic Development Authority Executive Director Wayne Biggs and Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien. The conference brought together leaders from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Government House said Virgin Islands representatives highlighted federal support tied to recovery, infrastructure and economic development projects. The statement cited $51 million in Environmental Protection Agency drinking water and clean water infrastructure funding for fiscal year 2024; a $69 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration award for the Territorial Parks Division; and a FEMA cost-share adjustment on critical projects from 90/10 to 98/2.

The statement also said FEMA funding for the territory had increased from an initial proposed $8 billion to $16.7 billion to date. It listed an increase in State Small Business Credit Initiative funding from $13.1 million to $58.8 million, plus a $521,000 technical-assistance grant for small businesses.

Among project-specific items, Government House cited an $8 million Federal Aviation Administration grant for upgrades at Cyril E. King Airport, a $1.7 million Federal Transit Administration ferry grant for an additional vessel on the St. Thomas-St. John route, $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the second phase of the Charlotte Amalie Waterfront Revitalization Program, and $51.7 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood-risk reduction work in Savan Gut.

According to the statement, conference participants also presented territorial needs to federal officials including FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular and International Affairs Carmen Cantor, White House Puerto Rico and Territories Director Gretchen Sierra-Zorita, and senior presidential adviser Tom Perez.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/bryan-roach-administration-highlights-federal-investments-at-white-house-communities-in-action-conference/