Page 154 - Caribbean-Central America Profile 2018

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

CARIBBEAN-CENTRAL AMERICA PROFILE 2018

• Invest at least $100,000, exclusive of • Such other requirements as the Economic Local government organisation is derived from
inventory, in an industry or business that Development Commission may require in the U.S. Congress under the Revised Organic
advances the economic well-being of the conformity with the Hotel Development and Act of 1954, which declared the islands to be
USVI. Finance Program. an unincorporated territory of the United States.
• Meet the requirements of Section 934 of the Some decision making power still rests with
Internal Revenue Code in the case of a USVI UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS the U.S. Congress and Federal Agencies. The
corporation, individual or partnership, or ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Attorney General of the USVI, who heads the
Section 936 of the U.S. Internal Revenue AUTHORITY Department of Justice, and the commissioners of
Code in terms of a V.I. Subsidiary of a U.S. The Virgin Islands Economic Development the 13 executive departments, are appointed by
Corporation. Authority (EDA) is a semiautonomous the Governor and approved by the Legislature.
• Be an actual investor in the enterprise for government instrumentality responsible for Other high-ranking officials in policy-making
which industrial development benefits are the promotion and enhancement of economic positions are also appointed by the Governor
sought, not a contractor, subcontractor or development in the United States Virgin Islands. and approved by the Legislature.
other person or corporation acting as an It has five major components, - the Government
agent. Development Bank, the Economic Development ELECTIONS
The 2014 United States Virgin Islands
• Comply with all federal and local laws and Commission, the Industrial Park Development gubernatorial election took place on November
Corporation, the Small Business Development
regulations, including environmental laws. Agency and the Enterprise Zone program. 4, 2014, to elect the Governor. Incumbent
• Provide an easement for free access to the Democratic Governor John de Jongh was term-
beach or shoreline, if the applicant will be The purpose of the Economic Development limited and could not run for re-election to a
doing business on property that adjoins the Authority is to act as an umbrella authority that third term in office. Since no candidate received
shoreline. assumes, integrates and unifies the functions the required 50%+1 as required by the Revised
of the aforementioned agencies under one Organic Act of the Virgin Islands in the General
HOTEL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM executive board. This, to achieve maximum Election, a run off was held between Donna
The United States Virgin Islands adopted the efficiency of operations, avoid duplication Christian-Christensen and Kenneth Mapp, the
Hotel Development and Finance Program of services, positions and responsibilities, two top vote receivers. Kenneth Mapp went on
in 2011. The program allows for the use of reduce expenses for personnel, physical plant to win the run off in a landslide victory, with
future gains in hotel room occupancy taxes and and operations and develop comprehensive almost 64% of the vote.
casino taxes to assist in the development areas programmes for the economic development
which would not happen solely through private of the Territory. The Authority is designed to GOVERNMENT LEADERS
investment in the reasonably foreseeable future. achieve this by exercising the powers and duties Governor
Monies generated from the Hotel Development of all four former entities, in conjunction with Kenneth Mapp
and Finance Program are deposited into a one another, and in the context of the overall 21-22 Kongens Gade,
separate hotel development and finance trust goal of promoting and enhancing the economic St. Thomas USVI 00802
fund which is established for each approved development of the Territory. Tel: (340) 774-0001
project. Funds allocated and deposited into the
hotel development and finance trust fund are United States Virgin Islands Economic Lieutenant Governor
Development Authority
from the hotel and casino taxes generated from Osbert E. Potter
the approved project. The Hotel Development 8000 Nisky Shopping Center, Suite 620 1131 Kings Street, Suite 101
St. Thomas, U.S.V.I 00802
and Finance Program is administered through Tel: (340) 714-1700 Christiansted,
the Virgin Islands Economic Development St. Croix, USVI 00820
Commission. In St. Croix:
116 King Street Tel: (340) 773-6449
To be eligible for benefits under this program, Frederiksted, St. Croix Fax: (340) 773-0330
the project must: U.S.V.I. 00840
Tel: (340) 773-6499
• Be located on the island of St. Croix, the EDUCATION
The public education system of the United States
island of St. Thomas or the island of St. John. GOVERNMENT Virgin Islands is subsidized by Federal grants.
• 80% of all persons employed shall be Residents of the USVI elect a Governor who, The system provides education for school-age
residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. provided together with the Lieutenant Governor, is elected children from kindergarten through 12th grade.
that after the third year of operation, at least for a four-year term. A 15-member unicameral Education is compulsory for children until they
20% of management, supervisory and/ legislature is elected for a two-year term; seven reach the age of sixteen years. The University
or technical positions must be filled by senators are each elected from St. Croix and St. of the Virgin Islands is a four-year institution
residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands, unless Thomas, and one senator with connections to St. with a main campus on St. Thomas and a branch
granted a waiver by the Commission. John is elected at large. Judicial powers rest in on St. Croix. There are both full and part-time
• Obtain all the applicable licenses or permits, U.S. and territorial courts. The United States students. The University offers B.A. and B.S.
permanent, temporary or otherwise as Virgin Islands has a locally elected, non-voting degrees in 33 fields and a Master in Education,
required by Title 27 of the V.I.C. and shall delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives, Master of Business Administration and Master
maintain during the term of the contract who serves for a two-year term. The delegate of Public Administration. University offers B.A.
such licenses or permits. can serve and vote in committees. The USVI and B.S. degrees in 33 fields and a Master in
• Comply with all applicable laws, rules, is not represented in the Senate: USVI residents Education, Master of Business Administration
ordinances and regulations. do not vote for the U.S. President. and Master of Public Administration.

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