Blyden Says Recent Meetings With Mainland Investors Yielded Positive Results

ST. THOMAS — According to a report released on Thursday by Senator Marvin Blyden, a trip to the mainland may result in investors bringing their businesses to the territory. Mr. Blyden— who is a member of the Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture —met with investors for four days last week, in what he says is an effort to help stimulate the Virgin Islands economy.

“[These] business prospects include a waste-to-energy tech company to assist with our over capacitated landfills; an alternative insurance company to help with the high cost of health care in the territory and the lack of insurance in the private sector; a creative marketing company to assist with our taxi industry and tourism product; a sports technology and training facility; a data center tech park; and an entertainment center whose hope is to be recognized as a regional entertainment center,” said Mr. Blyden’s release.

The senator expressed his positive outlook on the potential of having these companies bring their businesses to the territory. He says that he has been receiving texts, emails, and calls from the company owners and executives since his return. Mr. Blyden has also said that he will ensure that these individuals are connected with the appropriate contacts in the territory to further their interests of bringing their businesses to our shores.

The announcement comes amid a fiscal crisis affecting the Government of the Virgin Islands, which Senate President Myron Jackson, in a stinging rebuke of the Mapp administration on Thursday, described as “a financial crisis of great proportions.”

“Our people cannot continue to pay more for less. It’s not feasible, and the very notion that this is permissible unnerves me. Has a study been done to compare food prices and gas prices throughout the territory? Are health inspectors visiting grocery stores? Residents continue to contact my office emphasizing that food is stale, the facilities are nasty, and the prices astronomical. There are currently two health inspectors and we allotted additional funding to address this deficiency,” Mr. Jackson said.

The packages used for the meeting were provided by the Economic Development Authority, to which Mr. Blyden has extended his gratitude. He’s also extended his gratitude to Mr. Jackson, along with other Senate members, for their support and engagement in his endeavors.