Government House News

St. Croix Times Staff

Gov. Bryan at Summit in Nevis

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. spoke at the Global Sustainable Island Summit in Nevis, highlighting the U.S. Virgin Islands’ leadership in renewable energy, infrastructure, and regional cooperation, backed by over $23 billion in federal investment. 

The Governor showcased a new 115-megawatt solar and battery storage project as a model of effective public-private partnership and praised Nevis’s geothermal efforts as a sign of regional innovation. 

Emphasizing that sustainability is a necessity -not a luxury- for island nations, Governor Bryan urged Caribbean leaders to collaborate and leverage their unique strengths to create a more resilient and prosperous region. 

The Governor drew a sharp contrast between the Virgin Islands progress and the financing challenges still faced by many island nations. 

“While other islands are still searching for funding, the U.S. Virgin Islands has been fortunate to receive unprecedented support from the federal government - more than $23 billion in total investment, including $2 billion dedicated specifically to energy transformation,” the Governor stated as he addressed Nevis’ Premier Mark Brantley and a number of global experts and island leaders from across the Caribbean and as far away as Hawaii.

Gov. Bryan Statement on Salary Increases 

“The issue of public official compensation has long been a difficult and often contentious subject, which is why the Legislature chose to establish an independent body to take on the responsibility of addressing it fairly and transparently,” the Governor stated. “Through Acts 7878 and 8384, the Legislature created the Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Committee (VIPOCC) and clearly outlined the roles and responsibilities of all branches of government in the process. The law also provided the Legislature with the authority to accept, amend, or reject the Committee’s recommendations. At the same time it included a provision - added through amendment - that allowed those recommendations to take effect automatically if the Legislature took no action within 90 days. That provision was not imposed by the executive branch. It was drafted and passed by the Legislature. 

“I believe in accountability, transparency, and following the law. In this case, the law was followed exactly as written. 

“What is disappointing is that this matter has drawn attention away from the work this administration is doing every day to improve the lives of Virgin Islanders. We are tackling long-standing challenges, advancing infrastructure projects, expanding access to affordable housing, and keeping our commitment to pay long-overdue retroactive wages. That is where our focus should remain.”

The Governor commented on the unfairness of attempts to discredit the Commission and those professionals who  were appointed to serve on what amounts to a difficult and thankless task of enacting the law. He spoke of the fact that the VIPOCC was created to avoid previous scandals that rocked the government back in 2006 when political maneuvering allowed the Legislature to issue exorbitant pay increases without any public input or independent review. 

“I remain committed to doing the work the people elected me to do. That includes standing by the laws we enact, defending the integrity of public servants who serve with honor, and continuing to move the Virgin Islands forward through action, not distraction.”  

Government Releases 8,000 Retro Checks

The Department of Finance, in collaboration with the Division of Personnel, announced the release of more than 8,000 retroactive checks to eligible recipients across the Territory. The significant disbursement marks a continued commitment to honoring financial obligations to public servants and retirees. 

“This is a meaningful step forward in ensuring that our employees and retirees receive what is rightfully owed to them. We are grateful for the patience of our community and proud to fulfill this responsibility,” said officials from the Department of Finance and Division of Personnel during the collaborative effort.

Enterprise Zone Expansion

The Enterprise Zone Commission (EZC) has given the go-ahead in the USVI to expand the enterprise zones to include Downstreet on St. Thomas, and Frederiksted on St. Croix that include commercial zones in Charlotte Amalie and a new commercial zone in Cruz Bay on St. John.

If the Governor approves the expansion, it would include Estate Two Brothers in Frederiksted. With the new Vincent F. Mason Sr. Coral Resort and Park, which includes the West End’s only public pool, having recently opened along with the beautiful beaches in the area, the thoroughfare surrounding these attractions will be used more frequently. There are currently a number of entities that operate in the area. The ECZ accreditation might very well encourage more small business type activity.