Governor Bryan Requests 60-Day Extension of State of Emergency
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Government House Communications Director Richard Motta and VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen updated Virgin Islands residents on upcoming initiatives and detailed weather conditions Monday during the weekly briefing from Government House on St. Croix.
Director Jaschen provided information on potential weather systems and reminded residents of safety tips to get through the next few weeks together, as the height of hurricane season continues through October 15.
As for current conditions in the Atlantic, Jaschen said the National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Depression Gordon which is 1,100 miles to the East of St. John, currently located 19.2 North Latitude and 47.5 West Longitude, moving West at 8 miles per hour. Gordon is forecast to become Tropical Storm strength by Friday but will stay well North of the Lesser Antilles and possess no direct threat to the Territory.
Jaschen asked residents to evaluate any strengths or weaknesses observed from the impact of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which can and should be addressed now, during what is an uncommon lull in the march of tropical waves coming off of Africa every few days.
In 2024, the science of tropical cyclone forecasting is very reliable and in most cases advance notice is available within five days of a storm, Jaschen said. With climate change and excessive heat advisories in the territory becoming more frequent, he urged preparation for homes and businesses –which is still the key to getting through each hurricane season.
State of Energy Emergency 60 Day Extension
Reliable electricity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. On behalf of Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Motta said recent outages have been deeply frustrating and disruptive to our daily lives and overall quality of life. “The Governor understands the impact on your homes, businesses, and families, and he shares your frustration,” he said.
While hearing about future fixes is little comfort during blackouts, Motta said every action the Bryan-Roach Administration is taking is designed to ensure that outages become a thing of the past. “Progress is being made, and we are not standing still,” he said.
To continue these efforts, Motta announced that Governor Bryan has requested a 60-day extension of the current State of Emergency, through November 19, 2024. This extension will allow the administration to expedite critical actions and further stabilize WAPA. Since the original State of Emergency was declared in April, significant progress has been made, but many urgent issues still require attention.
Grant to Williams Delight Residents
On behalf of Governor Bryan, Motta announced a significant achievement for 20 deserving residents of Estate Williams Delight. In collaboration with Senator Marise James, 20 residents have each been awarded a $15,000 grant, made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act, which will be applied directly toward the purchase of a new Williams Delight Villa home at the time of closing.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Bryan-Roach administration to expand affordable homeownership opportunities across the territory. In addition to today’s announcement, the Governor has spearheaded the VI Slice Moderate-Income Homeownership Program, which has already assisted more than 20 Virgin Islanders in acquiring their first homes. Through this program, residents can access up to $200,000 in grant funding toward the purchase, rehabilitation, or new construction of their first home.
Additionally, the Own a Lot, Build a Home First-Time Homebuyer Program—a key initiative supported by this administration—provides five-year, zero-percent forgivable mortgages for the construction of new single-family homes. This program works in collaboration with local lending institutions to offer secondary financing, ensuring that moderate-income residents can build the homes they deserve.
Governor Bryan has made it clear that affordable homeownership opportunities are a top priority for his administration. He is not only committed to building homes, but also to building stronger families and more vibrant communities throughout the Virgin Islands.
Casino berthing Legislation/ Revitalization of Our Towns
Motta also announced a strategic initiative aimed at boosting St. Croix’s economic growth and enhancing its appeal as a premier cruise destination.
As part of the Governor’s broader plan to revitalize the territory’s towns, Governor Bryan has introduced legislation that would allow cruise ships berthed in St. Croix to operate their onboard casinos while in port. This initiative, which is exclusively for cruise passengers, is designed to make St. Croix a more attractive stop on Caribbean cruise itineraries, thereby driving increased tourism and local economic growth.
Governor Bryan’s focus is not solely on enabling casino operations; it’s about leveraging this opportunity as part of a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the territory’s towns.
Additionally, Governor Bryan has invested $1 million in revitalizing the downtown areas of Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, and Frederiksted.
As the Governor has often emphasized, “the economic viability of our towns is a top priority of this administration,” Motta said. The Bryan-Roach Administration has worked closely with cruise partners to triple the number of passengers visiting our islands, and this casino legislation will strengthen our standing in the highly competitive cruise market, Motta said, adding that it is essential that the 35th Legislature act swiftly to help unlock St. Croix’s full potential.
Motta noted long-term strategies that complement these revitalization efforts include encouraging cruise lines to provision locally, purchase water, reduce emissions through shore power at the port, and engage in local nighttime activities like the “Harbor Night” festivals, which will be revived thanks to a $250,000 grant to Our Town Frederiksted. These initiatives are crucial components of a broader vision to create a bustling, lively Frederiksted, where both tourists and locals enjoy events and activities day and night.
DPNR E-Permitting System
Motta announced another significant step forward in ongoing efforts to modernize and streamline government services for the people of the Virgin Islands. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) is preparing to launch its new online permit application system called Municity 5, on September 30, 2024.
This new electronic permitting system will allow applicants to submit and track their applications for building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits, as well as for the Coastal Zone Management and Comprehensive and Coastal Zone Planning divisions. Once an application is submitted, users will have the ability to track its progress, submit payments, request inspections, and complete the process until the issuance of a certificate of occupancy—all from the convenience of their own home or office. Tomorrow, DPNR will conduct a training session on St. John at the Julius E. Sprauve School from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and there will be another session at the DPNR main office in St. Thomas on Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
This online permitting system is just the latest example of the significant strides the Bryan-Roach Administration has made across various government agencies to bring operations into the digital age. At the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, residents can now register their vehicles online, making it faster and more convenient than ever to keep up with their vehicle documentation.
At the Department of Property and Procurement, the Bryan-Roach Administration has successfully implemented GVI Buy, a digital platform that streamlines the procurement process and enhances transparency. The Bureau of Internal Revenue now allows business owners to pay their gross receipts taxes online, offering them a simple and efficient way to meet their tax obligations without the need for in-person visits.
And at the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, residents have the ability to pay their property taxes online, further improving the efficiency of operations and making it easier for residents to manage their responsibilities with just a few clicks.
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