Governor Bryan Announces Automatic SNAP Relief for 3,755 Households Affected by Power Outages

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Nov. 10, 2026 

Governor Bryan Announces Automatic SNAP Relief for 3,755  Households Affected by Power Outages 

Governor also announces federal approval of 18 Opportunity Zones, major  progress on Veterans Drive Phase 2 and a new initiative to accelerate payments  to government vendors. 

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced Monday that 3,755  households on St. Thomas and St. John have received automatic replacement Supplemental  Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits following the prolonged power outages in late  October, providing much-needed relief to families who lost food during the electrical  disruptions. 

The replacement benefits were deposited directly onto eligible households' Electronic Benefit  Transfer (EBT) cards Saturday, Nov. 7, following federal approval of a request by the Bryan Roach Administration to waive the normal application and affidavit requirements for food  replacement assistance. 

During his weekly Government House press briefing, Governor Bryan said the administration  worked proactively through the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services to secure  authorization from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allowing affected households to  receive replacement benefits equal to 30% of their previous month's SNAP allotment without  submitting individual applications. 

"For families already struggling to make ends meet, losing a refrigerator full of groceries is a  serious financial burden," Governor Bryan said. "We didn't want people standing in lines or  filling out paperwork to replace food they lost because of the outages. We went to the federal  government, requested the assistance and got it directly onto their EBT cards." 

The Governor thanked Human Services Commissioner Averil George and her team for their  swift response, while acknowledging the continuing need to improve electrical reliability  throughout the territory.

Governor Bryan also announced significant progress on the Veterans Drive Phase 2  Improvement Project, federal approval of all 18 Opportunity Zones nominated by his  administration and a new initiative to help government vendors receive payments more  quickly. 

Major Federal Agreement Advances Veterans Drive Phase 2 

Governor Bryan announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands has reached a critical  agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard to advance Phase 2 of the Veterans Drive Improvement  Project on St. Thomas, removing a longstanding federal property obstacle and bringing the  approximately $100 million waterfront improvement project closer to construction. 

The agreement represents a significant step toward completing the transformation of the  Charlotte Amalie waterfront, building on the first phase of the project completed in 2021. The second phase will expand the roadway around the Legislature to four lanes, create a tree lined pedestrian promenade, improve drainage and strengthen the seawall to better protect the  waterfront and surrounding downtown area. 

The agreement follows extensive coordination among the Bryan-Roach Administration, the  U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Highway Administration, Eastern Federal Lands and the Virgin  Islands departments of Public Works and Property and Procurement. 

The project's pre-solicitation period is underway through Nov. 19, with the solicitation period  continuing through Jan. 13, 2027. Final property surveys, appraisals and other required  approvals remain outstanding. 

"This is a project the people of St. Thomas have been waiting a long time to see move  forward, and we've worked hard to get to this point," Governor Bryan said. "When we  completed the first phase of Veterans Drive, we showed what was possible for our waterfront.  Now we're clearing the way for the next phase. We're not going to finish every project before  we leave office, but we can make sure the next administration has something solid to build  on. That's how government is supposed to work." 

The Governor also cited continued progress on Mahogany Road, Nardo Trotman Drive,  Spring Gut Road and the Paul E. Joseph Stadium, noting that those projects are nearing  completion, underway or expected to begin within the next 60 days. 

Federal Approval Creates New Opportunities for Private Investment 

In another significant economic development announcement, Governor Bryan confirmed that  the U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved all 18 census tracts submitted by the  administration for federal Opportunity Zone designation. 

The designations include nine tracts on St. Croix, eight on St. Thomas and one on St. John.  All 18 qualify as rural Opportunity Zones, providing additional federal tax incentives  intended to encourage private investment in eligible communities. 

On St. Croix, the approved areas include portions of Christiansted, Frederiksted, Kingshill  and the South Shore, including the former HOVENSA refinery and Renaissance properties. 

Their inclusion supports the administration's broader efforts to attract manufacturing, energy  development and international trade investment. 

On St. Thomas, the designated areas include Tutu, Anna's Retreat, Smith Bay, Crown Bay,  Havensight and Charlotte Amalie. Cruz Bay and surrounding communities on St. John are  included for the first time. 

The designations take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and remain in place for 10 years. 

"Government cannot build this economy by itself," Governor Bryan said. "We've spent eight  years improving our infrastructure and creating opportunities for investment. These  designations give us another advantage in attracting businesses, developing housing and  creating jobs. But getting the designation is only the beginning. What matters is turning those  opportunities into real investments that benefit Virgin Islanders." 

The Governor credited the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority and other  government partners for their work in securing the approvals. 

New Initiative Offers Government Vendors Faster Payments 

Governor Bryan also announced a partnership with Municipal Vendor Services Inc. (MVSI)  that will allow businesses providing goods and services to the Government of the Virgin  Islands to receive payments in as little as 72 hours after their invoices have been approved. The voluntary initiative is designed to address longstanding concerns about government  payment delays, particularly among small businesses that depend on timely payments to meet  payroll, purchase supplies and cover operating expenses. 

The program will also provide the government with additional flexibility in managing its cash  flow. 

"When you're running a business, you have employees to pay and bills coming due. You can't  tell your employees to wait until the government pays you," Governor Bryan said. "We know  our payment cycles have been a challenge. This gives our vendors another option and helps  make it easier to do business with the government." 

Additional information about vendor enrollment and participation will be released. ###