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Resiliency comes from flexibility, adaptability, and being comfortable with rapid changes. In order to succeed we must first agree on a common idea of what we want for the USVI for the next 20 years.

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Key Economic Challenges and Weaknesses for 2040 stt

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The average electricity rate in the United States is 13.19 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). In St. Thomas we are paying 54 cents  per kilowatt hour (kWh) 5 TIMES MORE THAN THE U.S. The U.S.V.I  is one of the highest prices IN THE WORLD! Ok I love my islands, but seriously why can't we get this fixed. How can any small business operate and stay open. We used to be able to have more than 1 ice cream shop on the island. This is Literally one of the BIGGEST ECONOMIC CHALLENGES on St. Thomas, and it needs to be fixed. New strategies of combination energies such as solar power added to wind power and gases. Hire a team of new workers in the field of Renewable Energy Management to guide our way into the future.

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Why is it necessary to have to go in person to every Government office? For instance to renew your license you have to physically go to the DMV and wait for hours. In the states you can pay online for your registration and it is sent to you with out the inconvenience of being in person. Even the vehicle inspections if they continue can be scheduled online and you simply drive up spend 20 min on your inspection and you go. Because of this outdated system of ONLY going in Person, appointments are being pushed to July 2021!

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People rely on Tax refunds to plan and put into place various business ventures. If families are still missing multiple years of tax refunds how can they possibly invest in new businesses or even try to plan to start a new business. This is a horrible challenge to the economy and to progress.

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The Government should advertise to local entrepreneurs and business owners to educate them on how they too can buy in, invest, in and be apart of the profit growth on the island. In this way locals too can be educated and given the right tools to be a success. If potential local business owners don't even know where to begin the process of starting a business we will only be relying on NON-Native, NON-local minds. Invest in US, for the longest benefits!

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Government agencies are approving major multi-million dollar tax breaks to large million dollar investors/developers for the benefit of their long-term business on the island. Tax Breaks should also be considered for small business owners to allow them opportunity for joint ventures and profit growth. If these tax breaks are only available for the rich then the poor and middle class have no opportunity at all to rise above and do better for themselves and their families and in the long run the community.

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what steps can be taken where business refuse to repair and operate or sell . Collect insurance money and left the island.

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We learned with the closure of the BVI during the pandemic our support of the charter and boating industry was not as robust as it needs to be to support growth of the industy

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Businesses are looking for the proper lifestyle choices for their employees. Good roads, parks, good utilities, good shopping, clean safe streets, proper waste management

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Any future development will require a hardened and reliable power supply and distribution system. it also must be at a cost that incentivizes both residential and commercial development.