Governor To Unveil $230 Million Plan For Modernization Of Cyril E. King Airport In June, Government House Says

ST. THOMAS — Governor Kenneth Mapp addressed the League of Women Voters of the Virgin Islands during their annual meeting at E’s Garden Teahouse on Saturday, where he made an important announcement relative to the Cyril E. King Airport (C.E.K.A.)

According to Government House, Mr. Mapp announced that he will unveil the $230 million modernization plan for C.E.K.A. in June and that the public would soon be invited to community charrettes with the V.I. Port Authority to discuss planned improvements.

The governor touched on hurricane recovery, long-term resiliency efforts, tourism, education and many other issues during his remarks and a lengthy question and answer session with League members, according to Government House.

“We have a very bright future ahead,” he said. “But it will require hard work, real tough decisions and creating, establishing and maintaining very strong, vibrant, and positive relationships with our private partners.”

Mr. Mapp thanked and acknowledged the territory’s partners in Washington who have supported the recovery effort.

“There were one or two items that did not make it through,” he said. “However, we are still working on them.”

League Vice President Gwen-Marie Moolenaar commended the governor for his presentations to Congress.

“It is clear that you are admired in Washington because we would not have been getting this amount of money so that we could do these things for our hospitals, schools, WAPA, the highways and (to create) all of the job opportunities,” she said.

Ms. Moolenaar noted some concerns, however, with the government’s plans to accommodate larger cruise ships in terms of the potential for increased congestion.

Felecita Richards, president of the League’s Virgin Islands chapter, introduced the governor on Saturday, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Coordinating Officer, Bill Vogel. Mr. Mapp had invited Mr. Vogel to join him in order to share a brief recovery update with the group, according to Government House. Mr. Vogel represents FEMA Region II which encompasses the states of New Jersey and New York, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Native American Tribes in the Region.

Mr. Vogel told League members that FEMA will be in the territory as long as is necessary. “There is still much work to do,” he said.

The League of Women Voters is an organization that engages in educational efforts and forums on issues affecting the community. This nonpartisan, American civic organization was founded in 1920 to help women take a larger role in public affairs after they won the right to vote.