ST. THOMAS — Governor Kenneth Mapp and the Public Finance Authority board on Thursday moved to address funding for critical areas of need in the territory. The board also funded a contract to begin the development for construction of motorsports facilities, Government House says.
In a move Mr. Mapp called “vital,” $750,000 was approved for a short-term working capital loan for the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority. Currently, W.M.A. vendors are not being paid as a result of a lack of funding. The $750,000 would be repaid from monies to be provided from the capital projects bill if approved by the Senate. Government House did not give alternative sources if the Senate chose not to approve the capital projects measure.
Mr. Mapp also shared proposals for the purchase of ambulances with the board, and $1 million was set aside for six ambulances and EMS equipment. The approval comes as Department of Health Commissioner, Dr. Michelle Davis, has been calling for new emergency equipment to replace the old ones.
And with the Department of Public Works looking to rebuild its civil engineering and road repairs division, $1.5 million was set aside for the purchase of trucks, graders, rollers and other road construction equipment.
P.F.A. also approved a contract for $100,000 with DCOM VI, INC., for consulting and planning services for the development of two motorsports facilities, one on St. Croix and the other on St. Thomas. The scope of work for the contract provides for consulting services relative to planning, design and construction management of two motorsports facilities pursuant to the National Hotrod Racing Association specifications, for the continued development of sports tourism in the territory, according to Government House.
Tags: public finance authority, us virgin islands
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