Biz After Hours & RTPark Meet n’ Greet Win-Win

M.A. Dworkin

St. Croix - When you mix together the most influential business organization on St. Croix, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, with the Territory’s most innovative economic development organization, RTPark, invite them both to a business mixer at an ultra-hip building, 64 West, on the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) campus; jam-pack-in about 100 Chamber members, RTPark people, along with highly interested and appreciative guests; stir the pot and let them all co-mingle with some great food and remarkable vibes, you come up with a gathering that could rival the ringing of the opening bell at the NYSE on the morning of a highly touted IPO.

Such was the successful Meet n’ Greet presented by the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce at their regular Business After Hours event, hosted by RTPark at its headquarters on the UVI Albert A. Sheen Campus St. Croix.

For those who don’t know, The University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park (RTPark) is a specialized economic development organization (EDO) designed to drive investment and diversify the regional economy in the U.S. Virgin Islands by offering a unique incentive program, providing technical services to growing businesses in the technology sector and promoting the environmental/geographic advantages of the region.

RTPark has an immeasurable presence in the Virgin Islands, presenting many innovative programs that benefit the Territory’s modern day techno-culture by enriching the USVI’s technology and knowledge-based sectors. Their focus is on companies working in Health and Medicine, Software Solutions, Sustainability Solutions, and Financial Technology. They have recently expanded their outreach to connect with technology focused companies in numerous other sectors including: Interactive Media Management, Internet Advertising, Telecommunications, E-commerce, Content Development, Data Hosting and Data Management, Sustainable Construction, and R&D.

RTPark operates as a Protected Cell Corporation and an autonomous instrument of the USVI Government, offering numerous tax exemptions and reductions to their clients, the most notable of which is a 90% reduction on tax liability for the business and also for the owners and beneficiaries if the owners are bona-fide residents of the USVI.

“These events are wonderful opportunities for the business community to come out and promote their individual business,” said Akeel St. Jean, President of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce.

The space at 64 West resembles a cool-looking rocket ship that is ready to blast off for places unknown, ready to take on new business ventures and grow them until they reach the stars.

“If we want to build a sustainable future for the Virgin Islands, we need to start with our youth.” Eric Sonnier, Executive Director of RTPark spoke about RTPark’s STEM Enrichment Program. “By inspiring the next generation of tech innovators and problem solvers, we are creating pathways for students to access future career opportunities in the tech sector.” 

The STEM Enrichment Program offers After-School STEM Clubs and Summer Camps. The program ensures that all students, including those from underrepresented groups, have access to high quality STEM education, fostering equal opportunities for future success.

The buzz around the room was all about elevating the business climate on St. Croix. The room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows  overlooking the beautiful UVI campus, was filled with VI Senators, high level business leaders, Department heads, movers and shakers, and 2026 Senatorial and Gubernatorial hopefuls. It seemed every last one of them were looking for new ideas on how to put the Big Island on a new road to economic recovery after the recent setbacks of the failed Refinery and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need to get creative,” Mr. St. Jean said about the current economic climate on St. Croix. “We need to look at imports and exports, at small manufacturing and to take advantage of our exemption from the Jones Act.”

You could certainly feel the flow of Biz-Electricity in the air, and the camaraderie of fellow Crucians, who collectively realize the best way to move forward is to get together, exchange views, brainstorm, think outside the box, and try to identify some overall grand plan, or a series of smaller plans, that will breakthrough the island’s current period of economic stagnation and lead St. Croix into a bright new future of economic prosperity.