>> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTKR X , IT´S STAFF OR OTHERWISE NOTED.

>> THIS IS THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC AUTHORITY ON THE FOREFRONT OF THE TERRITORY EFFORT TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC RESURGENCE THAT THE RECOVERY IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

THE IMPACT TO THE RED LABOR FORCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS SIGNIFICANT THE INFLUENCING HOW WE DO BUSINESS AND HOW WE WILL PREPARE TODAY.

MEAL FINANCING LEADERS OF THOSE AGENCIES WHO WILL TELL US MORE ABOUT THEIR INITIATIVES AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED.

WE WILL ALSO HEAR ABOUT DATES FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON WHAT PROJECTS THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TO COMPLETE TO AID THE TERRITORY RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE MARIA.

BUT FIRST, HERE´S THE LATEST NEWS ON THE ONGOING RECOVERY PROPERTIES ACROSS THE TERRITORY.

>>> ON ST. CROIX I´M MARIE SELES.

AND MOTORISTS WILL FINALLY GET RELIEF THANKS TO A $26.3 MILLION OBLIGATION FROM FEMA TO RECONSTRUCT LAND IN BOTH DISTRICTS.

IT WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE REBUILDING DAMAGE AND HEAVY RAIN PRODUCED AND HURRICANES ARM AND MARIA IN 2017.

IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO ROADWAYS IN THE GRANGE, WILLIAMS MT.

PLEASANT AND HERMAN HILL.

>> THE ROADWAY REPAIR IS SIMILAR.

IT WILL INVOLVE PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT TO PREVENT RUNOFF FROM DAMAGING THE ROADWAYS.

AS WELL AS THE MITIGATION EFFORTS BETWEEN SUBBASE, AND REINFORCEMENT SO THAT ANY TYPE OF SATURATION HOUNDS THE ROADWAYS ABLE TO WITHSTAND AND SURVIVE THOSE EVENTS.

AND WE WILL BE COMING UP MORE RESILIENT ROADWAYS IN THE FUTURE.

>> DEANNE CRISWELL RECENTLY MET WITH GOVERNOR BRYANT AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THEIR LEADERSHIP TEAM AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON ST. CROIX TO DISCUSS THE PASS FORWARD FOR SOME OF THIS TERRITORIES.

DURING THE MEETING, IT WILL INCLUDE THE STATUS OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE POLY STADIUM WHICH IS STILL UNDERGOING FEMA ENGINEERING REVIEW.

STRATEGIC PLANS FOR OPERATING SHELTERS IN THE COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT.

THE WAIVER OF THE 10% MATCH FOR FEDERAL FUNDS AND CONCERNS REGARDING THE TERRITORIES HOSPITAL , THE STATUS OF RECONSTRUCTION IN THE PLANS FOR UPGRADING WASTEWATER AND TERRITORY.

GOVERNOR BRYANT ALSO THINKS THE FEMA ADMINISTRATOR FOR FREEING UP MORE THAN $400 MILLION FOR THE STEP PROGRAM TO PAY VENDORS AND CONTRACTORS FOR EMERGENCY ROOF REPAIR IN THE WAKE OF THE 2017 STORM.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AS GOOD NEWS FOR ITS EMPLOYEES AND PATRONS OF THEIR OFFICES IN ST. CROIX AND ST. JOHN.

FEMA THROUGH THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS APPROVED 11.6 MILLION TO REFURBISH THE COMPOUND ON ST. CROIX AND THE OFFICE BUILDING ON ST. JOHN´S.

SEVERAL AREAS SUSTAINED YOUR PARABLE DAMAGES DURING THAT STORM AND IT SERVES AS A HUB FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF OPERATION AND CONTAINS OFFICES ESSENTIAL FOR EXECUTING THEIR DECISION.

>> HERE WE ARE TODAY.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS GREAT PLANS.

THE FIRST THING THAT I LIKE TO SAY, WE ARE RECEIVING $2 MILLION TO REBUILD THE BUILDING THAT USED TO BE A WAREHOUSE SO THAT WE CAN RELOCATE ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES.

THAT WILL BE A TEMPORARY BUILDING.

THAT BUILDING WILL COST $2 MILLION.

SO THAT WE CAN NOW START THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN BUILDING HERE.

3 BILLION WILL BE COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED.

WE HAVE THE SECTIONS WITHIN THIS DEPARTMENT USED TO HOUSE THEM BEFORE THEY HAD TO BE RELOCATED.

THAT SECTION THE BUILDING SUSTAIN MOST OF THE DAMAGES AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION GUIDE SHOWS THE BUILDING IS TOTALLY DESTROYED.

IN THAT BUILDING IS ALSO GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED AND REBUILT.

IT WILL BE A GREAT DAY AND A GREAT MOMENT.

WE ARE THANKFUL THAT THIS OPPORTUNITY IS COMING HERE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

>> THE DESIGN WORK SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY SEPTEMBER.

SHORTLY THERE AFTER A SOLICITATION FOR THE ST. CROIX OFFICES WILL BE DRAFTED AND PUT OUT TO BID.

IT SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY JUNE 2023.

REPAIRS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN AND STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR OFFICES BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

A BRAND-NEW GENERATOR SPONSORED BY HOME DEPOT ON ST. CROIX.

THEY COLLABORATED ON THE EVENT WITH REGINA BROWN AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND PRESIDENT OF ONEAL TRANSPORT ON- SITE.

>> IS WITH THE OFFICE OF DISASTER RECOVERY.

>> THE PARTNERS AND PREPAREDNESS TEAM IS PLANNING A SIMILAR EVENT THAT TAKES PLACE IN AUGUST.

IT WILL SOON BE RECONSTRUCTED THANKS TO A $2 MILLION AWARD FROM FEMA´S MEHDI MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM.

THIS IS WEST OF THE MOREHEAD MARINE FACILITY IN COOS BAY.

IT IS SUBJECT TO REOCCURRING COASTAL FLOODING AS THE SEA LEVEL RISES AND THE ROAD CAN BECOME FLOODED.

LEADING TO THE EROSION OF THE SHORELINE AND THE DETERIORATION OF ASPHALT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AS BEEN AWARDED UP TO $2 MILLION TO CONSTRUCT A RETAINING WALL SYSTEM ALONG THE SHORELINE AND A TRAIN A DRAIN SYSTEM THAT WILL COLLECT WATER FROM THE ROAD TO THE SEA.

THESE ELEMENTS WILL ALLOW THE WATER TO DRAIN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID ANY FURTHER EROSION.

WITH MORE GREAT NEWS THIS MONTH FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RESIDENTS THERE´S $34.8 MILLION IS BEEN PROPAGATED TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THEIR REVITALIZATION AFTER HURRICANES IRMA AND MARIA STRUCK THE TERRITORY IN 2017.

OVER $20 MILLION FOR ALSO WILL HARRIS COURT.

AND WILL SOON GO HOME TO ST. THOMAS.

THEY WERE AWARDED OVER $10 MILLION FOR THEIR REVITALIZATION.

>> WE ARE HERE TO THANK FEMA AND OFFICER DISASTER RECOVERY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS OF FUNDING IT WILL ASSIST US WITH THE DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORT IN EARLY DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS FOR THESE PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

WE CONTINUE TO PROGRESS WITH THE CUSTOM BUILDERS HERE.

THERE STARTING WITH THE REMAINING FIVE BUILDINGS HERE.

WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING YOU MORE UPDATES IN THE COMING MONTHS.

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CONTINUES TO SEE THIS WITH THE PUBLIC.

>> THERE DILIGENTLY WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED.

BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR A FREQUENTLY UPDATED LIST OF DETAILED INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION IS SOLICITING PROPOSALS FROM QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE COMPLEX AND THE LINE ROBERTS REPAIR PROJECT LOCATED ON ST. THOMAS.

PROPOSALS ARE DUE IN JULY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER OPEN ANNOUNCEMENTS, AS WELL AS UP-TO-DATE NEWS ON ALL OF THE RECOVERY PROJECTS WITHIN THE TERRITORY, LOG ON TO W WW.USD I OD R.COM.

>>> JOINING ME ON DECK IS MY FEARLESS COHOST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING AUTHORITY.

LET´S ALSO WELCOME TO THE SHOW COMMISSIONER GALLI MALLOY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WAYNE BIGGS.

IT´S GREAT TO HAVE YOU GUYS ON OUR SHOW TODAY.

IT IS A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES INTO GETTING WORK MOVING.

I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE THE PROS AND WE DEFINITELY WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU LATER ON.

SO IT IS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> MISTER COHOST, YOU SHOULD HAVE A LOT GOING ON IN YOUR WORLD.

AS WE UPDATE YOU WITH THE CD GB AND THE CDD ARE, AND ALL OF THE OTHER ACTION GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF HOUSING.

>> DEFINITELY.

I WANT TO START OFF BY TALKING ABOUT THE EMERGENCY PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE GOING ON.

WE HAVE 13 NONPROFITS THAT HAVE PARTNERED WITH US TAKING APPLICATIONS WITHIN THIS PROGRAM.

IT WILL HELP THOSE THAT HAVE INCOME DECREASE BECAUSE OF COVID-19 AND IT ALSO PAYS FOR RENT AND UTILITY BILLS.

WITH THE NONPROFITS ON OUR WEBSITE WE RECEIVED APPLICATIONS SO THERE DILIGENTLY WORKING TO THESE APPLICATIONS AND WE EXPECT TO HAVE MONEY HITTING THE STREET TO HELP RENTERS BY JULY.

SO WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE IS INQUIRY ON THE STATUS.

IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT IF A LANDLORD HAS NOT HEARD OF ANYTHING OF THE APPLICATION, THAT MAYBE THE APPLICATION IS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED?

DO THEY HAVE TO SIGN THE APPLICATION ALONG WITH THE TENANT?

>> THE LANDLORD DOES HAVE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND THEY WILL BE CONTACTED SO DEFINITELY THE LANDLORD DOES HAVE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

BECAUSE THE CHECK ACTUALLY GOES TO THE LANDLORD AND NOT TO THE TENANT.

>> OKAY.

GREAT STUFF.

>> BEYOND THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, YOU SEE BUT I´M HAPPY TO REPORT HERE IS ON THE STEP PROGRAM WHICH THEY HAVE 1560 CREWMEN WITH ROOF REPAIRS IN THAT PROGRAM THAT WOULD HELP THIS CONTRACTORS OUT IN THE MONTH OF JUNE WE PROCESSED OVER $141 MILLION AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO HELPING MOVE THAT FORWARD?

>> WERE WHAT WE TELL THE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED IN THE TERRITORY IF THEY´VE NOT RECEIVED OR DONE ANY UPDATES ON THEIR PAYMENTS WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

LIKE THOSE WHO RENTED THEIR HOMES TO EMPLOYEES?

>> OKAY.

THERE FIRST CALL IF YOU RENTED FOR REALTOR, CALL THAT REALTOR FIRST.

THAT YOUR FIRST STEP.

AND THEN THEY WILL CONTACT THE PRIME CONTRACTOR IF THE DAY COMES.

I KNOW A LOT OF THEM RENTED FROM SMALL SUBCONTRACTORS.

BUT THEY WILL BE THE ONE TO DEAL WITH THIS.

AND DISPERSED THE FUNDS TO THE SMALLER SUBCONTRACTORS.

>> THAT IS GREAT INFORMATION TO SHARE.

>> AND ANOTHER THING I WANT TO BRAG ABOUT BEFORE WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IS THAT UNDER THE PROJECT THAT WE ARE WORKING FOR RIGHT NOW, THE PAYMENTS ARE BEYOND UP-TO-DATE AND THEY´VE ALSO COMPLETED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GENERATOR AND MOVING IT TO THE TESTING PHASE NOW.

SO WE KNOW THAT IS IMPORTANT WITHIN THE TERRITORY.

SO VERY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT IT IS MOVING ALONG NICELY.

>> WE EXPECT THOSE GENERATORS TO BE COMPLETED AND THE DOMINO EFFECT IS THAT EVENTUALLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE REDUCTION IN THE COST.

>> EXACTLY.

THE REDUCTION OF COST AND STABLE ELECTRICITY.

>> EXCELLENT.

WHAT ELSE WE HAVE GOING ON?

>> THERE´S A LOT GOING ON WITH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND DISASTER RECOVERY.

THERE ARE TWO AREAS THAT WE HAVE HERE TODAY WITH EDA AND LABOR.

SO I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT AND THAT THIS MONTH WE SUBMITTED THE MITIGATION APPLICATIONS AND THAT 779 MILLION THAT WE SUBMITTED WORKING WITH THE TERRITORY.

SO WE HAVE 60 DAYS TO REVIEW AND AFTER THOSE 60 DAYS WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE APPROVAL AND THE TERRITORY SHORTLY AFTER WILL BE HAVING ACCESS TO THOSE FUNDS.

>> THAT IS GREAT NEWS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT UP DATE.

SO NOW LET´S TALK ABOUT THE LOOMING CONCERN OF THE TERRITORY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE RECOVERY.

THERE OVER 100 PROJECTS THAT COME ONLINE THIS FISCAL YEAR ALONE.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THE LOCAL WORKFORCE HERE ESPECIALLY YOUR YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED?

AND WHAT OUR PLANS TO GET THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CAN TO MOVE BACK HOME?

LET´S START WITH THE SKILLS FOR TODAY´S PROJECT AND HOW YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY FOR $10 MILLION GRANT.

GIVE ME THE SKINNY ON THAT?

IT´S A VERY INVOLVED PROCESS TO GET THE COMMUNITY WITH BIG PROJECTS HERE.

IT STARTED WITH THE SKILLS ASSESSMENT THAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH WRITING THAT APPLICATION AND GETTING THAT PROCESS APPROVED.

REALLY THINKING THROUGH WHAT THE NEEDS ARE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS IT RELATES TO RECOVERY.

IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WORKFORCE IS AN APPROACH TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND IT´S FOCUSING ON PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES.

SO WE NEEDED TO LOOK AT HOW WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CREATIVELY GET A PROGRAM TOGETHER THAT WOULD TRAIN OUR ORGANIZERS TO BE READY FOR THAT JOB COMING FORWARD WITHIN THE RECOVERY BUDGET.

>> IN THE BEGINNING WHEN WE STARTED, ALL THE FEDERAL AGENTS HAD CONCERNS ABOUT CAPACITY IN THE TERRITORY.

FEMALE PARTICULAR FUNDED A STUDY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE IMPACT OF RECOVERY IS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THIS GROUP WITH 110,000 PEOPLE?

AND IT SAID WE WILL BE NEEDING 5200 ADDITIONAL RECORDS EVERYONE IT IS AN ABLE BODYWORKER IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS WORKING ON THIS WILL NEED 5000 MORE PEOPLE.

SO WE REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CRITICALITY OF WHAT THEY´RE TALKING ABOUT HERE TODAY.

AND YOU ARE THE MAN WITH THE MONEY?

>> YES.

AND WE TO KICK AT THAT 10 MILLION.

IT´S A PROCESS TO GO COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER.

WE ARGUED AT TIMES BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE GOT THE JOB DONE.

AND IT´S BEEN A GREAT DEGREE FOR THIS IN THE TERRITORY.

>> WE DID HAVE A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH THE DIRECTOR WHAT IS THE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

AND THIS IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT SUBJECT TO IF AND FUNDS HERE.

>> THE SKILLS OF THE WORKFORCE TRAINING INITIATIVE WITH THE FUNDED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY FELT BLOCK GRANTS A MEMORANDUM.

IT IS A TWO-YEAR PROJECT BUT WHAT IT DOES IS PROVIDE ACCESS TO TRAINING AND CONSTRUCTION.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND MARINE SERVICES.

THAT IS A WIDE ARRAY OF TRAINING TOPICS.

WE HAVE WORKED TRAINING AND OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING.

WE KNOW THAT BOTH ARE IMPORTANT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT WORK TRAINING WHO HAS PRE-AND POST TRAINING SUCH AS ON THE PRE-SIDE SKILLS ASSESSMENT, PREPARING FOR TRAINING, SCHEDULING AND PRIVATIZATION.

CEMENT TO COMPLETION AND ON THE POST TRAINING SIDE WE ARE LOOKING AT RESUME WRITING AND DEVELOPMENT.

SELF MARKETING TOOLS, BUILDING A RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, NETWORKING, INTERVIEWING AND WORKING WITH PEERS AND MANAGEMENT.

FINANCIAL LITERACY.

FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING WERE GOING TO FOCUS ON CLASSROOM TRAINING AND IT´S GOING TO BE PRETTY HEAVILY FOCUSED ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

SPECIFICALLY PROVIDING CERTIFICATIONS.

NCS CERTIFICATION IS AN INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL.

WE WILL FOCUS ON THE CORE CURRICULUM AS BOTH LEVEL ONE TRAINING PUMMELING MASONRY AND ELECTRICAL.

IT´S ABOUT 4 TO 5 MONTHS OF WHAT WE CALL CONSTRUCTION TRAINING DIVIDED BY FOUR WEEKS OF HANDS-ON WORK EXPERIENCE.

SO YOU GET BOTH PIT THEORY AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.

INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY BUT GOING INTO A MARINE OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE OR COSMETOLOGY WILL BE WORKED BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

AND WHEN WE SAY WORKED BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT IS EVERYTHING FROM ON-THE-JOB TRAINING TO WORK EXPERIENCE AND MAYBE CUSTOMIZE TRAINING OR INCUMBENT WORKER TRAINING.

EVEN POSSIBLY REGISTER PREMISES WORKING.

AS WE LOOK AT THE FUNDING, WHAT I REALLY WANT TO TRY TO EMPHASIZE IS TALKING ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MAY BE LOW SKILLED NO SKILLED OR MAYBE THE PANDEMIC HAS SEVERELY IMPACTED THE CAREER THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN AND YOU ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER OPTIONS.

THE BLOCK GRANT CAME AT A PRIME TIME FOR COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF OFFERING AN AVENUE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GAIN INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL.

BUT ALSO GAINED SKILLS AND INITIATIVES WITHIN A PARTICULAR AVENUE OCCUPATION OR INDUSTRY OF THEIR CHOICE.

SO I DO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO COME OUT, LEARN MORE AND ENGAGE TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

AND REALLY GAIN THE SKILLS THAT YOU NEED FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW.

>>> SO I KNOW YOU WORKED ON THIS FOR A WHILE, BUT >> I WANT TO THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR COMING OUT ON THE JOB FAIR.

BOTH HERE AND IN ST. THOMAS.

THE JOB FAIR AND EMPLOYMENT WAS IMPORTANT TO BUILD HOMES.

WITHOUT A JOB WE CAN DO OUR PRIMARY MISSION.

WE JUST HAD TO BE HAPPY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO COME OUT AND TO HELP FILL THOSE NEEDED POSITIONS.

WE HAVE THE NEED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS TO HELP BUILD MORE INTO THIS ECONOMY.

AND THE EMERGENCY RENTAL PROGRAMMER WE ARE HIRING OVER 20 PEOPLE HERE AS WELL.

SO THE JOB FAIR WAS GREAT AND WE DID ASK PEOPLE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE DI HS A.GOV IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO ATTENDANCE MATURE APPLICATION FOR THE MANY POSITIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AT OUR WEBSITE AS WELL SO THAT WE CAN BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO MATCH THOSE INDIVIDUAL SKILLS WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE EMPLOYER OR JOBS HERE.

IT WAS A GREAT JOB FAIR FROM THE STARTING POINT THAT A LOT OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SAW CAME WITH SOME SKILLS.

SO THOSE THAT DID NOT, WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO START DOING SOME RECRUITING FOR THE SKILLS PROGRAM.

>> ALSO WANTED TO SAY A QUICK THANK YOU TO ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THE PARTICIPATED AS WELL.

I KNOW I WILL FORGET THEM, BUT MY TEAM HOUSING AUTHORITY AND ALL OF THE OTHERS HERE THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THIS.

>> IT´S A CELEBRATION OF HOUSING MONTH AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR JOBS THAT IS WELL-ROUNDED AND BOTH ARE YOUR DEPARTMENTS ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR SUPPORT FOR STAKEHOLDER SHIP.

WHILE I WAS ON SITE VISITING ONE OF OUR RECOVERY GROUPS AT THE HENRY E AIRPORT, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW AND SPEAK WITH THE YOUNG MAN WHOSE STORY BEGAN RIGHT HERE.

DAVON NELSON IS A CIVIL ENGINEER WITH THE PORT AUTHORITY.

LET´S HEAR ABOUT WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE BACK IN THE TERRITORY WORKING ON RECOVERY?

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?

TO BE ABLE TO WORK ON THIS AIRPORT PROJECT?

>> IT MEANS A LOT.

THE REASON BEING, I WAS ACTUALLY AN INTERN HERE WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

MAYBE IN 2013.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS EXPANSION SINCE THEN.

TO SEE SOMETHING COMING TO FRUITION HAS BEEN A GREAT THING.

I´M ACTUALLY A PRODUCT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DUAL DEGREE PROGRAM.

STARTED MY COLLEGE CAREER AND ACTUALLY WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGIN ISLANDS AND ST. THOMAS.

FROM THERE, I WENT TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL WHICH WAS THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

AFTER THAT I GOT MY DEGREE AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.

I TOOK A FEW MORE CLASSES TO GET MY ASSOCIATES IN PHYSICS.

FROM THERE, MY GIRLFRIEND AT THE TIME NOW MY WIFE CAME OUT TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THIS OPPORTUNITY JUST CAME AT THE PERFECT TIME.

I PUT IN MY APPLICATION AND I SPOKE TO THE GROUP THEY GET REINSTATED AT THE TIME.

ALL OF THIS CAME INTO EXISTENCE AND REALLY MANAGED TO LINE UP FOR ME.

SO IT´S REALLY A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND BE PART OF SUCH A LARGE PROJECT.

BUT I´M HERE IN PART OF WHAT´S GOING THROUGH IT´S BEEN SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> NOT ONLY ARE YOU HERE BUT YOUR A BARRACUDA?

>> YES.

I AM ALSO A BARRACUDA.

I WENT TO WOODSON AND COMPLEX.

I GREW UP HERE.

MY FIRST TIME GOING TO SCHOOL ANYWHERE ELSE WAS IN 2016 WHEN I MOVED TO FLORIDA WHEN I USED TO GO TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.

>> PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY AFTER HURRICANES EMMA AND MARIA IT´S BEEN A PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TERRITORY.

GOVERNOR BRIAN CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE YOUNG VIRGIN ISLANDERS MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN BUILD A RESORT WITHIN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

PLEASE DEFINITELY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

>> THAT IS THE KIND OF THING THAT MAKES MY HEART WARM.

NOT ONLY AM I STANDING UP WITH THIS YOUNG MAN TOWERING OVER ME, BUT THE FACT THAT HE IS HOMEGROWN AND REALLY ABLE TO COME BACK TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GAIN THIS EXPERIENCE.

YOU SEE THAT EVERY DAY.

>> IT IS GREAT TO SEE A YOUNG PERSON MOVE FROM BEING IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH TWO UNIVERSITY AND BRING BACK THOSE EXPERIENCES TO BE PART OF OUR GROUP TOGETHER.

>> AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU GUYS ARE FUNDING.

AND I KNOW YOU EDUCATE THAT AT HEART.

SO MY DAUGHTER ALWAYS ASKED ME WHY AM I LEARNING THIS?

TELL ME HOW DO USE THIS IN EVERYDAY LIFE?

>> THE BEST ANSWER IS WHY?

WHAT GETS YOU UP AND GET YOU MOTIVATED?

YOU GET TO SEE WHAT THE END RESULT OF ALL THIS COMING TOGETHER IS.

IT´S PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY OPEN WALKWAYS AND SPACES.

GOING INTO THE WAITING AREA WITH NEW AIR-CONDITIONING AND OTHER ENERGY EFFICIENT UPGRADES.

$8.6 MILLION PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

AND THAT MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR MOVING AT ONE .6 MILLION FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY.

SO THAT IS CONSIDERED COMPLETED BY DECEMBER 2021 AHEAD OF THE MARCH 2022 POWER BY THE LOCAL VIRGIN ISLAND ASSOCIATION.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A BUSINESS SECTOR ALONG WITH THE WORKFORCE?

>> IT IS CRUCIAL.

THIS TIES INTO THE WORKFORCE.

WERE HERE WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

THIS PUTS IT TOGETHER.

USING THE PUBLIC FUNDS THAT WE HIRE LOCAL COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS.

IT´S JUST A MUSHROOM EFFECT THAT PUTS INTO THE TERRITORY SOME VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE´S ALSO OTHER REQUIREMENTS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CONTRACTORS ARE AWARE OF WHEN THEY ARE APPLYING OR PUTTING IN BIDS FOR THE RECOVERY PROJECT?

>> ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS WITH A BIT DIFFERENT.

THE GOOD THING IS THEY CAN TALK ABOUT THE RATES AS AN EMPLOYEE.

BUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OUR RATES ARE WAY HIGHER THAN THOSE GIVEN SO IT´S REALLY JUST A MATTER OF FILLING THE PAPERWORK OUT AND GETTING INTO COMPLIANCE.

>> THIS IS GREAT TO KNOW.

IS THE PERFECT TIME TO LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR OFFICES ARE DOING.

WITH THE EDA AND EFFORTS OF RECOVERY SPECIFICALLY 2040.

THE GOVERNOR HAS TOUTED THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING WE NEED TO GO AND WHERE YOU´VE BEEN.

>> IT WAS A PLEASURE TO COMMIT THAT VISION.

IT WAS CREATED OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD WITH THE COMMUNITY AND DISASTER RECOVERY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND EDA.

SO IT IS A COMMUNITY-BASED PLAN THAT IS A VISIONARY PLAN.

THE THOUGHT WAS HOW TO CREATE A POSITION WHERE WE WANT TO BE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR NEXT 20 YEARS?

PART OF THAT PLAN WAS CREATING ASPIRATIONAL NOTES WHICH WE CREATED HERE AND ALSO LOOKING WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.

THOSE ARE PART OF THE INDUSTRY THAT WERE SELECTED BASED ON THE POTENTIAL OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS.

WE´VE BEEN WORKING WITH ALL OF HER AGENCIES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SO HOW DO WE GET THE WORKFORCE READY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIES?

AND THAT´S ABOUT EIGHT THAT WE´VE IDENTIFIED.

THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR THESE TERRITORIES.

>> WE STARTED WITH COMMUNITY- BASED.

AND WHEN WE SURVEYED WE DIDN´T ONLY SERVE A RESIDENCE IN THE SURVEY OR BUSINESSES HERE IN THE TERRITORY.

WE ALSO SERVE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND THE ONE THING THAT CAME ACROSS CLEARLY WAS THAT THERE WAS A CONCERN OF WHAT WAS HERE WITH THE AGRICULTURE.

SO ONE OF OUR GOALS IS TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION WITH GDP.

AND ALSO ONE OF THE INDUSTRY TARGET MARKETS AND HOW WE GET TECH MOVING.

HOW DO WE CREATE MORE?

SO THE INDUSTRY IS LENDING PROFESSIONAL LEVELS.

THERE´S A WIDE RANGE OF LEVELS INCLUDING MARINE SERVICES IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE THINK ARE IN THESE INDUSTRIES.

>> THIS PLAN WAS DONE VIA A NATIONAL SEARCH.

WE DID USE AN ENTITY THAT WANTED TO BE CALLED DES MOINES ASSOCIATES AND A SUBDIVISION WAS COINED 310.

THEY ARE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMIC INDUSTRY FOR CREATING THESE TYPE OF PLANS.

THE LAST PLAN PRIOR TO WORKING HERE WAS IN LA COUNTY.

HOW DO WE CREATE THE STRATEGIC PLANS FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS?

>> GUNDERSON WAS ALSO A QUICK PART OF THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND DON STEVENS AS WELL.

BUT THEN WE ALSO HAD SOME SUN CONTRACTORS WHO WORKED WITH US.

AGAIN GETTING THE WORD OUT.

SO SHE CONTINUES TO WORK WITH US HOW WE SPREAD THAT WORD OUT AND GET THAT PLAN.

AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO TO USC I 2040.COM AND LOOK AT THAT PLAN.

THE NEXT STEP IS TO WORK APPOINTING THE TASK FORCE.

AND REALLY COMMENT ON THAT PLAN.

>> HOW LONG DID IT ACTUALLY PUT TOGETHER?

>> IT WAS QUITE A SHORT TIMEFRAME.

AND ON THAT FIVE MONTHS ROUGHLY 100 DAYS WAS REALLY GATHERING INFORMATION AND ANALYZING ABOUT 289 PAGES LONG WORTH OF THINGS.

SO I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO AT LEAST READ THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND THE CALL TO ACTION.

THERE A LOT OF AREAS WITH CALLS TERRITORIES.

IT IS A COMMUNITY PLAN FOR THE TERRITORY.

>> MISTER GRIFFITH, YOU ARE THE MAN WITH THE MONEY.

IN CDD IS SENDING A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT WITH THESE PROJECTS.

HOW DID THIS FALL IN LINE WITH ALL THE PROGRAMS MISSIONS?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WAS SPOKEN ABOUT AS SOON AS A READ TO THE PLAN WAS FOOD SECURITY AS THEY MENTIONED.

WE HAVE THAT CBG MITIGATION SURVEY AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WAS MENTIONED AS WELL.

SO WERE RISKING A LOT OF OVERLAPS WITH THIS PLAN AND THE SERVICE THAT WE´VE DONE AT DI H FA.

TAKING THIS LONG-STANDING INTO DEEP TERRITORY.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING TOGETHER ON NOT JUST PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN BUT THE HOUSING PLAN FOR HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT COLLABORATIVELY EVEN MORE.

>> SO WILL THIS LOWER MY GOING TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE?

>> IT WILL LOWER YOUR BILL AND HOPEFULLY GIVE YOU FOOD AS WELL SEE DON´T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FOOD SECURITY ANYMORE.

>> IT´S NOT ONLY FOOD INSECURITY, BUT ALSO HOW TO GET LOCAL FRESH PRODUCE INTO THE MARKETS?

FRESHER PRODUCE THAT LASTS LONGER.

IS THAT IS THE CASE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, WE HAVE A STAFF THAT WE KNOW IS ON CONTRACT HELPING FARMERS INCREASE THEIR YIELD AND WE ARE ALSO WORKING TO CREATE THAT PROCESSING PLANT AND CREATE THOSE AREAS.

IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO APPLY FEDERAL MONEY.

SO ARE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE >> BUT THAT ALSO LEADS INTO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AS WELL.

BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS.

TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TRAINING IS THERE TO BE ABLE TO OCCUPY THOSE JOBS.

>> ALSO WORKING WITH EDUCATION AND THEIR COURSE LEVELS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

SO IT´S PUTTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I´VE SEEN SO MUCH COLLABORATION.

REALLY PUTTING AGENCIES TOGETHER TRYING TO MOVE THINGS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD.

>>> OKAY SO BACK IN MARCH THERE WERE SHARED EXPECTATIONS FROM THE PLANT .

SO LET´S SEE WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE LAST PART OF THE PLAN IS INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY FEEL THE 2040 PLAN HELPS TO DO.

BECAUSE IT IS NOT ABOUT IF WE CAN GET IT DONE.

IT´S ABOUT FOCUS AND DIRECTION.

ECONOMIC PROSPERITY FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE RESIDENTS OF THE TERRITORY.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE FOCUS AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE WANT MORE THAN JUST TOURISM OR HEALTHCARE.

OR MARINE INDUSTRY OR THE REFINERY.

THAT WE WANT TO UNIFY THE DIVISION THAT WILL MAKE THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BRIGHTER FOR US AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

I WANT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO READ THE PLAN.

AND ASK IS OURSELVES, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

HOW CAN I MAKE THESE GOALS COME TO LIGHT?

AND WHAT WHAT I ASKED MISTER BIGGS TO DO FOR ME AS WE MOVE ALONG THIS LINE?

YOU SEE, THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ABOUT ALL OF US.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE BETTERMENT OF OUR ISLANDS ONE BY ONE, MAKING OUR FAMILY´S RESILIENCE, OUR COMMUNITIES RESILIENCE, AND ALL OF THE ISLANDS RESILIENT.

>> SO THE GOVERNOR PRETTY MUCH GAVE HOMEWORK TO THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

GOING INTO THE PLANT TO SEE HOW EVERYONE OF US CAN ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING TO HELP PUSH THINGS FORWARD.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> I AGREE.

WE ARE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO READ THE PLAN OF THE TASK FORCE.

LOOKING AT THE GOVERNOR TO PUT THAT TASK FORCE FORWARD BUT THAT WAS THE TAGLINE FOR THE PLAN.

IT WAS REALLY OUR COMMUNITY , OUR ECONOMY AND OUR FUTURE.

PROSPERITY FOR ALL.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE IT INCLUSIVE FOR ALL VIRGIN ISLANDERS.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING TO MOVE THIS PLAN TO THE NEXT GENERATION AND GETTING OUR PEOPLE READY FOR THAT PLAN 20 YEARS FROM NOW.

>> HAVE TO HAVE VISION.

WHEN THERE´S NO VISION THEY COME FORWARD.

THIS IS A CRITICAL ASPECT OF VISION WITHIN THE 2040 PLAN.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS WILL REACH FULL EMPLOYMENT.

FULL EMPLOYMENT EXISTS WHEN EVERYONE WHO WANTS A JOB CAN FIND ONE.

IT DOES NOT MEAN ZERO UNEMPLOYMENT.

IN THIS CASE, WE THINK IT IS THE MAGIC NUMBER TO REACH.

THE SECOND MICRO GOAL IS TO REACH ECONOMIC STABILITY IN 2040.

THIS MEANS THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY HAVE TAKEN ROOT AND THERE ARE NO EXCESSIVE FLUCTUATIONS WITHIN GDP.

AND CRISIS SERVICES WERE REGIONS REASONABLE.

MANAGEABLE AND STABLE.

>> WHAT YOU SAY THAT COMMISSIONER?

>> PRE-PANDEMIC, THE NUMBERS WERE ABOUT WHAT WAS QUITE DIFFERENT WITH AN UNEMPLOYMENT.

AND ANYONE THAT WANTED A JOB COULD HAVE HAD ONE.

LOOKING AT THE PROJECTIONS OF WHERE WE ARE NOW, WE WENT THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND NOW WE ARE APPROXIMATELY AT 7.5% FOR THE TERRITORY AND ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN´S AT 7.7%.

SO WE ARE ON THE WAY TO GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE INDIVIDUALS THAT WANT A JOB CAN HAVE A JOB.

THE RECOVERY IS TREMENDOUS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF BUSINESSES REOPENING SO WE ARE ON TRACK WITH TRYING TO GET TO 2030.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED TO BE RETRAINED TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE THERE.

A LOT OF THE EMPLOYERS ARE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND SKILLS.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TRAINING IS IN PLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GET THOSE JOBS.

>> THAT IS A FACT.

GOOD HEALTH IS HARD TO FIND.

LET´S LOOK AT OTHER MAJOR INITIATIVES WITHIN THIS PLAN.

>> VISION 2040 LAYS OUT 115 NEW INITIATIVES AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN FIVE GENERAL CATEGORIES.

DIFFERENT GROUPS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE AND IT BECOMES VERY MANAGEABLE.

WE TALK ABOUT HOW THAT WILL WORK.

TO SIMPLIFY WE DISCOVER A GAME CHANGER WITHIN THAT CATEGORY.

FOR INSTANCE, WITH DEPLOYMENT.

THE GAME CHANGER WOULD BE AT THE PUBLIC DECIDED TO CHANGE THE WAY IT CHANGES ITS BUSINESSES AND IS VIEWED AS A PARTNER IN GROWTH.

WITH THE EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE, THEIR REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE SUB K-12 HIGHER EDUCATION GROUP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

ALL UPGRADING TO BETTER ASSIST THE TARGETED SECTORS.

AND WE WILL GET BACK TO THOSE IN A MOMENT.

BUT MAINTAINING STRUCTURE.

STRUCTURE WILL BE IMMEDIATELY ASKING FOR THE GOAL OF ADDING 75% OF ENERGY NEEDS MET WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES.

DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY.

IT WILL BE FOR TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT LIKE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH A FEDERAL CENTER FOR U.S. CLEAN ENERGY AND BLEW ECONOMY RESEARCH AND COMMERCIAL LOCATIONS.

WITHIN THE USD EYE.

LIFE WITH THE MOST IMPACTFUL GAME CHANGER.

DOWN TO LEVELS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE AVERAGE IN THE U.S. MAINLAND.

>> BOLD AND AUDACIOUS.

THAT IS WHAT I´M HEARING.

WE PUT THOSE GOALS TOGETHER, WHAT IS THE ACHIEVABILITY LEVEL THAT WE ARE SEEING?

>> THEY ARE BOLD, AUDACIOUS AND ACHIEVABLE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE CULTURE AND THE WAYS FOR THE PORTION OF GDP AT THREE POINTS.

IT INCREASES AGRICULTURE.

AS WE LOOK AT THE DISTANT GOALS AS SPOKEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IT SEEMS THAT THE FEEDBACK I´M GETTING IN REGARD THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE FEELING ALL THE TIME.

AND THOSE GOALS ARE ACHIEVABLE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOALS OUT THERE AND YOU SAY IT´S NOT IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT´S NOT REALISTIC.

BUT I THINK OUR GOALS ARE REALISTIC I THINK PEOPLE ARE GETTING BEHIND THE PLAN AND I THINK THE FACT THAT AGAIN WE´VE INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY SO MUCH AND PULLED INFORMATION FROM THEM, THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN SEE THE INFORMATION FROM THE SURVEY THAT THEY´VE PROVIDED.

IT´S DEFINITELY A PERMITTED INTO THE PLAN FOR AGRICULTURE.

THAT WAS NUMBER ONE ACROSS ALL THE SURVEYS.

IT IS NUMBER ONE WITHIN THE TARGET INDUSTRIES.

WE LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY AND CREATED A PLAN BASED ON THAT FEEDBACK.

>> ALSO WE HEARD A TERM BLEW ECONOMY BEING BOUNCED AROUND.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> LOU ECONOMY TALKS MORE TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT IT DOESN´T JUST TALK ABOUT SHIFTING OR SPORTFISHING OR JET SKI IT TALKS ABOUT HOW YOU PRESERVE THE QUARRY AND PUT ONE OFTEN CONSTRUCTION.

HOW YOU PRESERVE WHAT WE HAVE MARINE INDUSTRY THAT WE HAVE.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE CALL A BLUE ECONOMY AS STRONG AS WE DID IS ONE THAT YOU HAVE HERE.

YOU GET A GOOD MARINE BIOLOGY CENTER.

WE THINK UV I CAN CAPITALIZE ON THAT AND INCREASE ADDITIONAL WAYS HERE.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH OND AND PUERTO RICO IN REGARDS OF CREATING WHAT WE ARE CALLING THE U.S.

REGIONAL BLUE ECONOMY PLAN.

IT´S THE U.S. CARIBBEAN.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT IT REGIONALLY BUT ALSO IDENTIFYING WHAT THEY NEED IS A TERRITORY AND WHAT THEY WOULD NEED FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO.

SO THEY WILL ALSO HAVE SOME UNIQUENESS TO IT.

BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS PICKING UP STEAM ALL OVER.

AND WE THINK NOW IS THE TIME TO GET IN AND GET IN THE FOREFRONT.

>> THAT´S EXCELLENT.

>> WE ARE SURROUNDED BY WATER.

AND WHAT COLOR IS THE WATER?

BLUE.

>> DEFINITELY BLEW.

>> I AM TEASING.

>> SO LOOKING AT THAT MARINE, THERE´S A LOT THERE MORE THAN WHAT WE SEE.

AND AS PART OF THE STRATEGY IT HAS TO BE AGAIN MAKING AWARENESS OF THOSE OCCUPATIONS OR OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE SECTORS.

SO WE ARE WORKING WITH AND TYING EVERYTHING TO THE 20/40 VISION EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

SO SEO BEGS MENTIONED THAT THEY WANT PEOPLE INVOLVED BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE AND TOUCH AND ACTUALLY SEE YOUR PLACE WITHIN THIS PLAN.

>> LET´S GO BACK TO JOB TRAINING.

WERE TALKING ABOUT THE RECOVERY.

WERE TALKING ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES.

SO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS CHARGED WITH MAKING SURE THAT THE WORKFORCE IS DEVELOPED AND READY FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

SO WE HAVE THE SKILLS FOR TODAY LET´S TALK A BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE.

HAVING THIS PROGRAM FUNDED TO PEOPLE ACTUALLY BEING ON THE JOB?

>> AGAIN IT´S A PART OF TRAINING EVERYTHING.

GETTING EVERYBODY TRAINED IN MOVING FORWARD IT HAS TO GO WITH RECRUITMENT.

WHAT WE DO WITH OUR REGULAR BASIS IS WHERE WE COLLECT THE INFORMATION AND DATA BUT THE ORGANIZATION RIGHT NOW IS PRIMARILY UNEMPLOYED.

WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF DATA ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND THE TYPE OF WORK THAT THEY WERE IN.

THE TYPE OF THINGS THAT THEY´RE INTERESTED IN.

WE ARE ALSO YOU HEARD MELITA AT THE DIRECTOR TALK ABOUT CUSTOMIZED TRAINING.

WITH SPECIFIC TRAININGS THAT WOULD HIDE THOSE SPECIFIC IT INDUSTRIES OR SECTORS.

YOU´RE TALKING ABOUT INCOME AT WORK TRAINING.

SO FOR THOSE IN THE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE SECTOR THEY WOULD HAVE THE EMPLOYEES THAT NEED TO BE WITHIN TRAINING.

SO YOU´RE LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO GO INTO A PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

THIS ENTIRE PROJECT AND THE COMMUNITY BROUGHT FORWARD WITH THIS TRAINING IS GETTING THE BUCKETS FOR US.

YOU CAN SEE THE CUSTOMIZE TRAINING IN ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, LOOKING AT THE CUSTOMIZE WORKER TRAINING LEADING TO A PARTNERSHIP OR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT.

SO, WE BUILD IN A STRATEGY THAT IS LOOKING AT INDIVIDUALS AND DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN TO MATCH THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH EMPLOYERS.

>> SURE.

THAT IS EXCELLENT.

AND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR SKILLS FOR THE DAY, CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WW.CO DOL.GOV AND THERE IS FACEBOOK PAGE HERE AND WE ARE WILL HAVE SOME PHONE NUMBERS AVAILABLE IN A DIRECT LINE THAT WILL BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT AND PRESENT THE SKILLS.

>> OKAY.

SO BEFORE WE MOVE ON, WE HAD TO CATCH UP WITH THE ADA THROUGH THE VISION 20 ECONOMIC PLAN.

ONE PARTICULAR PROJECT OF NOTE HERE.

LET YOU WHAT MISTER RIVERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT.

>> SOME OF YOU MAY RECOGNIZE THIS.

BUT FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS EVAPORATED AND ACTED AS THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF ARTS.

IT IS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THEATER, MUSIC AND CRAFTS AS WELL AS ALL SORTS AS ARTISTIC ELEMENTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENTERTAINMENT AND INSPIRING POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUT SADLY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, HURRICANES LIKE MARIA HAVE HARMED THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND CAUSED A LACK OF MUCH- NEEDED ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.

VA CRAWL IS A MEDIA ARTS AND EDUCATION-BASED NONPROFIT THAT IS DEDICATED TO SOLVING SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS THEY KEEP EFFECTING OUR YOUTH.

OUR TEAM IS TRANSFORMING THIS FORMER THEATER INTO A HIGH-END ARTS BASED COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER.

WE ALL KNOW RENOVATIONS IN OUR COUNTRY ARE HERE.

AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO BE IN A POSITION TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY THE 20/40 PLAN.

WITH THE SUPPORT, FIRST AND FOREMOST YOU WANT TO LEVERAGE OUR YOUTH INTEREST IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND POPULAR ART CULTURE.

TO ORGANIZE A VARIETY OF TALENT SHOWCASES AND PUBLIC ART INITIATIVES THAT WILL SERVE TO REVITALIZE OUR COMMUNITY.

WE´VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT EXPANDS ON TOPICS LIKE SPIRITUALITY AND HOLISTIC WELLNESS.

IN THIS CASE WILL BE USING ART AS A TOOL TO INCITE CONSCIOUS CONVERSATIONS AND SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT OR USE.

IN DOING SO, WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONNECT ARE USED ALL KINDS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN EMPOWER THEM TO HELP NOT ONLY THEMSELVES BUT THE COMMUNITY.

OUR PARTNERSHIP IS ESSENTIAL IN THIS REGARD.

ALLOWING ARTS BASED PROGRAMMING WILL ALSO BE A RESOURCE CENTER THAT WILL CONNECT YOU TO VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

IN A WIDE VARIETY OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

CONSIDERING OUR PARTNERSHIP, WE SUPPORT AND MY CONFIDENCE IS WITH THE TEAM THAT WE CAN PUSH CRIME AND GUN CULTURE AND LEAD TO LUCRATIVE OPPORTUNITIES ESPECIALLY IN MEDIA, ARTS AND TOURISM RELATED FIELDS.

INVOLVED MOVING THIS FORWARD, LOOKING AT IT DOWN THE ROAD 10 YEARS FROM NOW, PUTTING UP PLANS AND VISIONS FORWARD, WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS ON ENSURING THAT GENERATION WILL BE TAKING OVER WHEN WE´RE ON THE RIVIERA SOMEWHERE RELAXING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AGAIN IT´S COMMUNITY-BASED AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS GENERATIONAL PLAN NOW.

HOW DO WE GET THE MILLENNIAL INVOLVEMENT AT THIS PAGE FOR 20 YEARS FROM NOW.

MANY OF US WILL BE RELAXING SOMEWHERE AND THEY WILL BE THE ONE PUSHING THE ECONOMY FORWARD.

THAT IS THE WHOLE REASON FOR COMMUTING THIS PLAN.

CREATING A VISION AND GETTING YOUNGER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THAT VISIONS WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE VIABLE AS A COMMUNITY.

AND THAT´S WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.

TO CREATE A VIABLE COMMUNITY.

WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HERE AND DELIBERATE TALKS ABOUT ART.

PEOPLE USUALLY THINK ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OR AN ECONOMY.

BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES THE ARTS AND MUSEUMS.

GREEN SPACES AND OTHER QUALITIES OF PLAY.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME WORK AND PLAY.

CREATE THAT VIBRANT LIVING SPACE.

>> RIGHT.

BUT THERE´S A LOT OF TREMENDOUS WORK THAT YOU´RE DOING HERE.

BUT THERE ARE SOME OTHER PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE THAT YOU´RE WORKING ON?

YOUR PROPERTIES DID SUFFER SOME DAMAGE FROM IRMA AND MARIA.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS?

>> YES.

AS THE COMMUNITY MAY BE AWARE, WE DO HAVE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WHICH DOES MANAGE KNEES PARKS.

THEY ARE COMPRISED OF TWO INDUSTRIAL PARKS ONE IN ST. CLAIR WANTED THOMAS.

AND WE HAVE THE MAIN OFFICE CALLED THE FLEMING BUILDING.

AND ALL OF THOSE PROPERTIES I SO THEY HAVE THE INDUSTRIAL PARK IN ST. THOMAS WITH A $.1 MILLION WORTH THAT WE APPEAR TO HAVE THAT FACILITY.

OVER $400,000 THAT WE PAID TO THAT BUILDING.

AND LUCKILY THAT WAS AN OLD HISTORIC BUILDING THAT DID NOT SUFFER THE KIND OF DAMAGES TO BE ANTICIPATED.

WE ARE VERY PLEASED WARMING GATHERED THAT THE BUILDING WAS STILL HERE.

MOSTLY COSMETIC DAMAGES THE NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

AND THEN WE HAD THE BAY AT ST. CROIX.

SO WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PROJECTS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON OF COURSE.

WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT AND ODIE ARE WE ARE WORKING WITH THE BUYER TO GET THAT AWARENESS TASK ORDERED AND TRYING TO CREATE THE PLAZA.

SO HOW DO WEEK WE CONSTRUCT THESE FACILITIES?

>> I BET YOU DIDN´T KNOW WE ARE GETTING TO THE END OF THE SHOW.

BUT WE´VE HAD A LOT OF FUN HERE.

CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER EACH SHOW.

WE HAVE ABOUT ONE ITEM HERE IN OUR MAILBAG LEFT WHERE THE PERSON WAS ASKED ALT HAS PROPOSED A BILL FOR COMPLETE STREET POLICY FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

ARE THERE ANY UPDATES?

THIS CAME FROM ONE OF HER VIEWERS ON FACEBOOK.

YOU KNOW THE POLICY WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COLLECTIVE WAGER AND THE GOVERNOR.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE $3 MILLION FUNDING ALLOCATION WAS ADDED TO THE BILL, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A RESUBMITTAL AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT.

IT IS CURRENTLY VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AS THEY HAVE BEEN PROVIDING INPUT FOR THAT GROUP THAT IS WORKING ON THE PLACEMENT OF SIDEWALKS AND CROSSWALKS AND LIGHTING.

THE LOCAL POLICY WAS DEFINITELY DEVELOPING CONCEPTUALLY WITH THE WALK ABILITY INSTITUTE.

SO WE EXPECT TO SEE NEW LIFE BACK IN THAT EFFORT AND MOVING IT FORWARD.

SO YOU THINK YOU FOR YOUR VIEWERSHIP AND FOR ASKING YOUR QUESTIONS AND CONTINUING TO WATCH RECOVERY AND FOCUS.

AND LIGHTNING CONVERSATION TODAY.

LET´S WRAP IT UP?

>> WE ARE REALLY HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE THINK THIS IS THE PATH FORWARD FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

BUT ALSO AS YOU MOVE FORWARD, AGAIN WE ARE CONCERNED WITH THE WORKFORCE AND THE ABILITY OF THE CAPACITY TO GET ALL WE COULD NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS IN THE PARK.

BUT WE´RE GLAD WERE HERE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WORKING SO CLOSELY WITH THE AUTHORITY TO MOVE SOME OF THIS PROJECT FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND PARTICULARLY THE SKILLS OF THE DAY PROGRAM THAT WILL FOCUS ON GETTING 400 YOUNG PEOPLE WITHIN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS TERRITORY TOGETHER LOOKING AT PLUMBERS, CARPENTERS, MASONS AND ELECTRICIANS.

AND THEN YOU´RE LOOKING AT THE OTHER COMPONENTS BUT I HAVE WITH THE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING COMPONENTS THAT GIVE EXPOSURE AND SHUTDOWN OPPORTUNITIES IN IT HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALITY.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT PROGRAM.

>> THIS HAS BEEN VERY GOOD.

I JUST WANT TO THANK MY COHOST.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> AND ALSO TO THE LISTENING AUDIENCE.

WE HAVE TO REBUILD THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND DOING SO WE NEED THE WORKFORCE.

BUT WE HAVE DIVISION AND WE DEFINITELY HAVE A PLAN.

400 PEOPLE OUT THERE WILL BE GETTING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR JOB TRAINING AND THAT WILL BE THE NEXT ENLIGHTENING DISCUSSION WE HAVE UPDATES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

YOU CAN DEFINITELY STAY UP-TO- DATE BY VISITING US ONLINE AT USD IOD ART.COM.

AND YOU CAN ALSO SEE THIS DISCUSSION GOING@FACEBOOK.COM/W TJX.

THEY GIVE WATCHING.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.