Category: Business News

Social Security Announces Redesigned Statement, Available With My Account

WASHINGTON — Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, today introduced a new look and feel to the Social Security Statement, available online through the my Social Security portal at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and by mail. The Statement is one of the most effective tools people can use to learn about their earnings and future Social Security […]

Small Business Administration District Director Makes Annual Visit To Territory

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Small Business Administration Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands District Director Josué Rivera made his first official visit to the U.S. Virgin Islands last week, meeting government officials, small business owners, community organizations and business development centers on St. Croix and St. Thomas. Rivera visited in person with small-business owners and entrepreneurs […]

Skills Revolution Needed To Underwrite Future Caribbean Growth: OP-ED Column

It is no exaggeration to say that education has made the Caribbean what it is today. From rebellion, through emancipation, to the creation of unions and political parties, in revolution and the thirst for independence, education has been the common stream that enabled the flood of change. Today, however, despite the deeply held belief of […]

Besieged By Seaweed, Caribbean Scrambles To Sell The Stuff

PUERTO MORELOS — As the sun rises in Mexico’s Quintana Roo state, home to the white sandy beaches of Cancun and Tulum, Rear Admiral Alejandro Lopez Zenteno readies his sailors for another day of dragging rafts of brown seaweed to shore and out of view of cocktail-sipping tourists. Zenteno heads the operation for the Mexican […]

Commercial Fishermen, Senator Blindsided By End To 20-Year License Moratorium

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — In a surprise move, DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol suddenly lifted a 20-year-old moratorium on new commercial fishing licenses, leaving fishers stunned and concerned that federal regulators could cut seasons short or restrict fishing grounds altogether if annual catch limits are exceeded. “DPNR is excited about lifting the moratorium and creating more economic […]

Royal Caribbean Inks Deal With VIPA To Improve USVI Marine Port Facilities

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Royal Caribbean Group announced it has reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Virgin Islands to further enhance Crown Bay in St. Thomas, as well as a significant redevelopment of Frederiksted, St Croix in the future. The agreement is the first step in a longer process of expanding the cruise […]

Bryan Says Feds Have Forgiven $300M In Community Disaster Loans From Storms

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan released a statement on Congress’ passing a continuing resolution to fund the government through December and avoid a government shutdown that also waives the U.S. Virgin Islands’ debt of $300 million in Community Disaster Loans that resulted from the 2017 hurricanes: “It is with great pleasure that I can announce […]

New Fleet Of 15 School Buses Roll Out Tomorrow With Vendor Contract Signed

KINGSHILL — A fleet of 15 new school buses will begin servicing students in the St. Croix District beginning tomorrow following the completion of contractual agreements between the Department of Education and Abramson Enterprises, Inc, the company that operates the school buses. The new buses are the property of the Virgin Islands Department of Education […]

Biden Awards The Territory $5.6M To Combat The Impact of Climate Change

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The territory is poised to receive just over $5.6 million of the $3 billion recently approved by President Biden to increase the nation’s resilience to the impact of climate change. This significant investment has been made available for natural hazard mitigation measures across all 59 major disaster declarations issued due to the […]

FEMA Has $578,970 For USVI Organizations That Provided Food, Shelter During COVID

CHRISTIANSTED — Reimbursements of up to $578,970 are available for USVI organizations that have provided emergency food and/or shelter programs in the territory during the period of January 1, 2020, through October 31, 2021. The reimbursements are funded through the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the federally-funded Emergency Food and Shelter National […]