PEOPLE FLOCK TO THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS IN NORTH CAROLINA EACH YEAR TO CELEBRATE.

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THE LEGISLATURE SIGNED IT INTO LAW, AND WE WERE SHOVEL READY.

THAT´S WHAT WE STRIVE IS TO BE SHOVEL READY.

OFTEN -- THAT PROJECT CAME IN THREE MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

IT WAS A WELCOME SIGHT.

I REALLY ENJOY LOOKING AT IT, ONLY BECAUSE THAT FACILITY, THAT AREA YOU´RE LOOKING AT COULD RIVAL ANY AREA THAT YOU GO TO ON THE MAINLAND.

SO THERE´S A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON THERE.

WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WE´LL BE RECEIVING THE NEW BIDS FOR THE CONVENIENCE STORE.

ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD THERE?

>> YEAH.

WE´RE NOT RESTING WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

WE´RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE THE DESIGN FOR THE NEXT PHASE IN PROGRESS, AND WE HOPE TO SPEND AT LEAST $150 MILLION TO UPGRADE THE FACILITY AND INCLUDED IN THAT UPGRADE FOUB FOUR JET BRIDGES ON ST. CROIX FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AND WE´RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT DEVELOPMENT.

>> GREAT.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE AN EVEN SIMPLER REQUEST.

EVERY TIME I GO TO THE AIRPORT YOU HAVE A VENDOR THERE THAT TRIES TO SELL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

WHAT ARE THE PLANS TO MAKE SURE THERE´S FOOD OPTIONS?

>> WE APPRECIATE IT.

LIKE I SAID EARLIER, CONCESSIONS INTERNATIONAL GOT THE BID.

WE PUT OUT A PROPOSAL.

SEVERAL PEOPLE CAME FORWARD AND PUT IN A BID.

SO WE´RE IN NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW.

BUT LET ME TAKE SOMETHING ABUNDANTLY CLEAR.

OUR BOARD MADE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, AND WE TOLD THE FOLKS, THERE´S A LADY THERE SERVING FOR A LONG TIME, DURING THOSE TIMES THERE ARE NO TRAFFIC, SHE PARTICIPATED, SHE PROVIDED US THE OPTIONS.

SO THERE´S A LOT OF MONEY AND A BIG THING TO DO.

WE TOLD THEM THERE MUST BE THREE PEOPLE IN ST. CROIX THAT THEY MUST PARTNER WITH.

SO TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY DID REACH OUT TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND HAVE SELECTED TO BE THE PARTNER BY PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPANY THAT´S GOING TO DO THE FOOD.

SO THAT EYER IN -- THEY HAVE TO SPEND A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ON THE BUILDOUT.

>> THAT´S GREAT.

AND MAKING SURE THAT THE VENDOR STILL GETS A PIECE OF THE PIE -- >> LOCAL VENDORS.

>> THAT´S CORRECT.

I LIKE TO SAY I JUST MET HER, BUT TO LOOK -- BECAUSE THEY DON´T HAVE THE KIND OF CAPITAL THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY, WE STILL WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL HAVE A STAKE.

>> YOU TAKE TO THE STREETS TO GET PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON THE ST. CROIX AIRPORT.

SO LET´S TAKE A LOOK.

>> MY THOUGHTS ON THE AIRPORT UPGRADE, I FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE A LITTLE MORE QUICKER, BECAUSE THE YEAR IS 2022.

WE´RE IN THE FUTURE, AND OUR AIRPORT NEEDS TO UPGRADE.

PEOPLE COME OUT OF THE PLANE, IF IT´S RAINING, IT´S STILL GETTING WET.

WHEN YOU REACH AMERICA, THEY HAVE TUNNELS FOR YOU TO GO THROUGH TO AVOID SUNSHINE.

WE DESERVE TO HAVE THE SAME TREATMENT.

IT SHOULDN´T TAKE FIVE YEARS TO GET THIS DONE.

>> AS FAR AS WHAT HAS BEEN DONE, I DO LIKE THAT THERE IS A MORE MODERN LOOK TO THE AIRPORT.

THE ATMOSPHERE IS ALSO MORE WELCOMING.

>> THEY NEED TO IMPROVE ON THE -- YOU KNOW, YOU DON´T WANT TO FEEL LIKE IT´S STILL LOCKED IN 1980, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

WE´RE IN 2022 NOW.

THEY SHOULD IMPROVE ON MARKETING THE TERRITORY.

>> THAT´S THE FIRST THING, YOU KNOW, AS TO OUR ISLAND, SO THEY SHOULD HAVE BETTER MARKET FOR THE ISLAND IN THE AIRPORT.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT NEVER COMES FAST ENOUGH.

>> THAT´S FOR SURE.

>> AND IT´S REALLY -- IT TOOK THEM FOREVER.

HE HAD TO DO EVERYTHING TO GET THAT DONE, TO GET THE MONEY SPENT.

BUT YOU TALKED ABOUT YOUR PLAN, AND I THINK IT WAS YOU, MR. GREGORY, ABOUT INCLUDING THE JET BRIDGES AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PRACTICES AND PLANS IN THE FOUR-PHASE PROJECT.

>> YEAH, THE KEY TO THAT IS WE´RE DEVELOPING THE FACILITY, BUT YOU´VE GOT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT WE HAVE A FUNCTION AND FACILITY, A AND THE FACILITY HAS TO BE MAINTAINED.

SO TRAFFIC, PLANES HAVE TO BE MOVING WHILE WE BUILD THE FACILITY.

SO THAT´S WHY WE´RE DOING IT IN PHASES.

BUT THE FINAL PHASES ARE BEING CURRENTLY DESIGNED.

AND IN THAT FINAL DESIGN, WE´RE GOING TO ADDRESS THE GENTLEMAN´S CONCERN.

WE´RE GOING TO HAVE JET BRIDGES IN THE NEW DESIGN.

>> WE´VE GOT TO BE SHOVEL READY.

AS WE SPEAK, WE ARE SHOP THING PROJECT OUTSIDE OF THE TERRITORY.

WE HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH A DELEGATE TO CONGRESS.

IT´S GOING TO TAKE $150 MILLION.

THE PASSENGER FLOW WOULDN´T BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THAT.

I LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE, WHAT IS $25 OR $30 A PERSON?

WE ARE A PARTNER OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT´S CALLED A PASSENGER FACILITY FEE.

THAT CAN ONLY BE CHANGED TO A HIGHER NUMBER BY U.S. CONGRESS.

THAT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR MORE THAN 25 TO 30 YEARS.

SO IN TERMS OF FINANCING THESE THINGS, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT FEDERAL FUNDING AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS TO DEVELOP.

BUT THAT´S WHERE WE ARE, $150 MILLION PROJECT, BUT WE ARE SHOPPING IT RIGHT NOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WENT TO HAWAII, WE PRESENTED ON THE PHASES FOR THE AIRPORT EXTENSION.

AND SHOPPING IT AS ONE OF OUR OPTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDING, DISCUSSING IT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND ALL OF THE OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDS.

THOSE PROJECTS AND OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE THOSE JET BRIDGES UP IN AN EARLIER PHASE, TO BE ABLE TO GET THE PROJECT STARTED.

SO WE SHARED, AND YOU´LL SEE HE´S ONE OF THE BRIGHT ENGINEERS, TO INTERACT WITH HIM.

I FELT THE FUTURE WAS IN GOOD HANDS.

THAT COVERS ST. CROIX.

LET´S SWITCH OVER KAI SMITH WHO WILL PROVIDE UPDATES ON THE ST. THOMAS AIRPORT.

>> THE PROJECT IS A $26.8 MILLION PROJECT, AND IS PRIMARILY FUNDED FROM A RECOVERY GRANT FROM THE U.S. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION.

THE PROJECT IS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND WILL FEATURE A THREE-STORY PARKING STRUCTURE.

THE STRUCTURE WILL BOAST 132,000 SQUARE FEET OF PARKING AIR, 286 ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES, AND 55 RENTAL CAR PARKING SPACES.

THE STRUCTURE WILL BE FULLY EQUIPPED WITH AN ELEVATOR AND ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS.

THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN THE SPRING OF 2023.

AND IT´S THE FIRST PHASE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PORT AUTHORITY´S AIRPORT EXPANSION PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM IS AIMED AT MODERNIZING THE AIRPORT, AND MAINTAINING THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS A KEY GATEWAY TO AND FROM THE CURB AREA.

>> WOW.

I TELL YOU, ABSOLUTELY LOVE WHAT IS GOING ON.

SO EXCITED.

I WILL TAKE THE INCONVENIENCE, BECAUSE WHAT IS AHEAD OF US LOOKS SUPER GREAT.

>> WE´RE VERY PROUD OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE THAT´S GOING TO BE CONSTRUCTED BY A.T. CONSTRUCT.

WHAT IT´S GOING TO DO IS ALLEVIATE THE CONGESTION WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

WE´RE GOING TO REORGANIZE THE PARKING, AND THE OTHER TWO LEVELS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC PARKING.

WE ARE INCREASING THE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL WITHIN THE TERMINAL, BECAUSE WE´RE GOING TO MOVE THE RENTAL CARS EVENTUALLY OUTSIDE IN THE PARKING STRUCTURE.

SO WE´LL HAVE MORE RENTAL SPACE AND GENERATE MORE REVENUE FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THAT PROJECT COMPLETED.

LIKE KAI SAID, BY THE FALL OF 2023.

>> I WANT TO JUST SPEAK UP, WE CAN BE -- WHAT THE PORT AUTHORITY HAVE DONE WITH IT, IN SUPPORT OF THE BOARD, WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IN SOME YOUNG ENGINEERS AND GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES.

AND KAI SMITH IS JUST ONE OF THEM.

I FEEL SO PROUD OF HIM AS HE GAVE THAT PRESENTATION.

THEY ARE THE FUTURE.

AND THESE GUYS ARE DOING AWESOME.

A LOT OF THE GADGET STUFF IN THE AIRPORT, FROM SECURITY TO PROCESSES AND SO FORTH, THESE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WE WERE ABLE TO ATTRACT.

I HOPE WE CAN KEEP THEM.

ALL THESE PROJECTS, WE HAVE GOOD PEOPLE ON THE GROUND EXECUTING THESE PROJECTS.

>> HE SURELY TOOK SOME TIME TO TALK TO EARL THOMAS FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY.

HERE TO COMMENT ON A COUPLE OF THESE -- >> THIS IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECT, WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE FAA, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.

AND IT´S APPROXIMATELY $3.29 MILLION.

OUR CONSULTANT FOR THE AIRPORT IS KENNY HALL.

WE ARE WORKING ON 38,000 SQUARE FOOT OF PAVEMENT AREA, AND THEY´RE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF RECONSTRUCTING THE PAVEMENT.

THEY HAVE COMPUTED THE UPGRADE, AND CURRENTLY PLACING THE P501 CONCRETE CEMENT PAVEMENT AT THIS TIME.

THE PROJECT IS 65% COMPLETE AND WILL ADD A BENEFIT TO TRAVEL IN PUBLIC IN TERMS OF THE SAFETY OF OUR AIRCRAFT DEPARTING AND ARRIVING, TAXIING AND OPERATING ON THE RUNWAY.

WE WERE VERY BLESSED TO GET THIS OPPORTUNITY TO UPLIFT THE ST. THOMAS AIRPORT.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TRAVELED SOMETIMES THROUGH HERE, OUR CHOICES ARE LIMITED.

BUT ALSO LET´S NOT FORGET THAT THIS IS A VERY UNICORN KIND OF AIRPORT, WHERE YOU HAVE TO BE HERE THREE HOURS PRIOR.

SO IT DOES GET A LITTLE TIME CONSUMING IF YOU´RE TRAVELING WITH KIDS AND FAMILIES.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

SO THIS WAS A GREAT IMPROVEMENT TO OUR AIRPORT, TO ADD JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT FLAVOR.

OUR GOAL HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROMOTING OUR LOCAL TALENT, OUR LOCAL CHEFS AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THE ISLAND, THE ISLAND FOOD, AND AS THEY LEAVE BEAUTIFUL ST. THOMAS, THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO REMEMBER.

>> YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW I WENT TO TWO FOLKS AND WE´RE TRYING TO FIND ANYBODY, IF YOU KNOW ANYBODY, THEY´RE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY THAT COULD PRODUCE HUNDREDS OF PARTIES PER DAY FOR THEM.

AS YOU EXIT THE AIRPORT, AND THE BOARD AUTHORIZED -- WE USED TO HAVE -- THIS IS ANOTHER PART OF TRYING TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, THERE WAS LIKE JUST ONE VENDOR INSIDE THE KING AIRPORT.

THE FAA HAS SINCE LIFTED -- HIKE YOU CAN´T HAVE NO, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT?

YOU CAN´T HAVE NO MONOPOLY INSIDE THE AIRPORT, THUS ALLOWING OTHER VENDORS TO COME IN.

SO THAT´S A NEW COFFEE SHOP.

THE PEOPLE LOVE IT.

IT´S REALLY BEAUTIFUL.

IT GIVES A GREAT UPLIFT TO THAT AREA.

IT LOOKS REALLY NICE.

THERE´S MANAGE I WANTED TO POINT OUT.

WHILE THOMAS WAS DISCUSSING THE CONCRETE PAVEMENT.

THAT´S NOT SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD BE ATTRACTED TO.

BUT THAT´S SO CRITICAL.

THAT PAVEMENT THAT WE´RE REPLACING IS OVER 30 YEARS OLD.

IT´S A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THEM TO TRAVERSE THAT AREA, AND THE INSTABILITY OF THAT, A JET COULD BE DELAYED OR COULD HAVE A PROBLEM AS A RESULT.

THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IN ST. THOMAS IN FAMILIAR, SOMETIMES IN ST. CROIX, WE CAN´T JUST SHUT THE PLACE DOWN.

SO FROM THIS GATE TO THIS LOCATION, WE HAVE TO FILL THE CONSTRUCTION.

WE GET IT FROM THE AIRLINES.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SIT ON THE TARMAC.

YOU KNOW, WE SIT ON THE TARMAC STATE SIDE.

THAT PROJECT IS COMPLEX, WE´RE DOING A LOT OF IT AT NIGHT THAT THE PEOPLE DON´T SEE.

BUT WE HAVE THE LARGE JETS TRAVERSING THE SAME AREA.

>> IT´S A LOT.

WE MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO KEEP THE PASSENGERS SAFE.

THE ST. THOMAS COMMUNITY HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENT TO THE AIRPORT.

SO WE´LL TAKE A COUPLE OF MINUTES JUST TO HEAR SOME FEEDBACK.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM START TO PAY ATTENTION TO UPGRADING THE FACILITIES FOR PLANING AND DEPLANING, NAMELY TO GET A JETWAY TYPE SYSTEM.

WE ARE SADLY BEHIND I THINK SOME OF THE OTHER ISLANDS IN THE CARIBBEAN, AND WE NEED TO BE AHEAD OF THEM.

>> RIGHT NOW, I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS THAT THEY´RE DOING, BECAUSE THE EFFORT DOES NEED TO BE UPGRADED.

BUT I FEEL LIKE IT SHOULDN´T TAKE SOME MAJOR EVENT TO HAPPEN FOR THOSE UPGRADES TO BE DONE.

>> IT´S GOOD THEY´RE BUILDING THE GARAGE, BUT THE TIME TO GET IT BUILT -- >> THE CONSTRUCTION IS VERY GOOD.

BUT I HAVE ONE PROBLEM, THAT I THINK -- IF WE NEED TO DO THAT, WE NEED TO GO LONG-TERM AND MAKE IT THREE OR FOUR.

SO WE HAVE A LOT -- AND A TAXI DRIVER AND WE HAVE THE -- WHAT DO YOU CALL THEN, THE RENT A CARS.

OTHER PEOPLE COMING TO THE BUSINESS.

IN SIX MONTHS, WE´RE BACK TO SQUARE ONE.

FOR EXAMPLE, MAKE SURE -- YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT ADEQUATE.

>> THEY SHOULDN´T STICK YOU IN THAT BACK ROOM ALL BY YOURSELF WHERE IT´S HOT.

WITH THE NEW PARKING LOT, IT´S EXCELLENT.

THAT´S WHAT A SERVICE THAT WE NEED.

THEY PROBABLY HAVE THEIR HANDS TIED AS FAR AS GETTING EXTRA ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THE ACTUAL AIRPORT BUILDING ITSELF.

BUT OF COURSE IT NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED.

BUT HOW LONG THAT WILL TAKE I HAVE NO IDEA.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE -- GETTING OFF OF THE PLANE AND GOING THROUGH THE COVID LINE AND ALL OF THAT YOU´RE OUTSIDE.

I SEE IN THE FUTURE IT´S PROBABLY MORE OF INDOORS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE WORKING ON THE PARKING LOT THAT IS VERY MUCH NEEDED.

AND IT WILL TAKE QUITE SOME TIME.

SO PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.

>> I THINK THEY´RE DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I´M GLAD TO SEE DURING THIS EXTENSION, THAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO.

SO THE LEADERSHIP IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMENTS THERE.

>> THAT´S GOOD.

FOR ME OR FOR OUR STAFF, THE CHALLENGE IS WHEN PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY DOUBT THESE THINGS WOULD HAPPEN.

WE FEEL GOOD BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY´RE GOING TO HAPPEN.

THAT WAS A GOOD BET.

WE DID A PARKING LOT, WE WANTED TO GO ANOTHER FLOOR.

BUT THERE WAS A COMPROMISE AT THAT TIME BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE FOLKS LIVING UP THE HILL AND ALL OF THAT.

SO EVEN TO GET IT CONSTRUCTED TO ANOTHER LEVEL TOOK A LOT OF BARGAINING AND SO FORTH.

BUT $5.6 MILLION WE BUILD THAT FACILITY OVER A TEN-YEAR PERIOD.

IT IS YIELDING $140 NOW EVERY MONTH.

SO WITHIN 5 1/2, 6 YEARS, IT WILL PAY ITSELF OFF.

SO AT THE KING AIRPORT, THERE WAS A FOURTH FLASH TO THAT.

BUT, AGAIN, THERE WAS DIFFERENT ISSUES.

THAT´S SOMETIMES THE COMPROMISE TO GET OFF THE GROUND.

SO WE WOULD RATHER TAKE THE THREE FLOORS AND REALLY STARTED CONSTRUCTION, THAN NOT DOING IT AT ALL.

SO THAT´S WHERE WE ARE.

>> WELL, AT THE PORT AUTHORITY, YOU NOT ONLY MANAGE AIRPORTS, BUT THEY CONTROL SEA PORTS.

THESE PROJECTS THAT YOU´RE DOING INFLUENCE EVERYTHING, AND THAT´S A CRITICAL PIECE OF OUR RECOVERY.

OVER 300 PROJECTS BETWEEN NOW AND 2026.

OUR CREW WENT OUT TO VIEW A PROJECT.

AND THE ENGINEER GAVE US THE RUNDOWN.

>> THIS IS THE FACILITY HERE, WHERE WE ARE OPPORTUNITILY UNDERGOING OUR ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS $15.8 MARINE CARGO BUILDING BEHIND ME.

THIS PROJECT OFFICIALLY STARTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2021.

AND IT´S BEEN COMPLETELY FUNDED BY INSURANCE PROCEEDS, AS THE ORIGINAL BUILDING WAS -- THIS BUILDING IS A 42,000 SQUARE FEET BUILDING.

IT´S UNDER THE FOOT PRINT OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDING, BUT A SLIGHTLY LARGER SQUARE FOOTAGE, SEPARATED BETWEEN WAREHOUSE SPACE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AREAS.

WHEN AN ADMINISTRATIVE AREA IS GOING TO BE USED FOR MORE PERSONNEL, AND THEN THE BIG SPACE, THE WAREHOUSE SPACE WILL BE USED FOR OUR VARIOUS TENANTS.

TURNLTLY, THEY´RE WORKING ON DIFFERENT THINGS SUCH AS PAINTING THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING.

THEY´RE PUTTING IN WINDOWS RIGHT NOW.

THERE´S A LOT OF WORK GOING ON.

WE´RE APPROACHING THE 90% COMPLETION MARK OF THIS PROJECT.

ESTIMATED TO BE FINISHED TOWARDS THE END OF SUMMER.

>> WELL, WE TALKED ABOUT YOUNG ENGINEERS, AND IT´S A WONDERFUL PROJECT.

YOU ARE DOING REALLY GREAT THINGS OUT THERE.

>> LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, I THINK HE GRADUATED AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER.

RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL, WE HIRED HIM AND BROUGHT HIM HERE TO ST. CROIX.

I KNOW IT FILLS MY HEART TO SEE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE JUST STEP UP AND MORE AND MORE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE GIVEN TO THEM.

THAT PROJECT IS HUGE FOR SEVERAL REASONS.

THAT FACILITY NOW, PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, THEY´RE GOING TO HAVE AN ENTIRE DAY FOR THEMSELVES, WHERE THEY CAN BACK UP A TRAILER, EMPTY IT.

WE DON´T HAVE THAT KIND OF LUXURY IN THE TERRITORY RIGHT NOW.

AT THE SAME TIME, I CAN TELL YOU ALL THE GUESTS TO HAVE ECONOMY.

WE JUST MET WITH THE TROPICAL SHIPMENT.

THAT GIVES YOU AN INDICATION OF WHAT IS FORECAST TO HAPPEN.

THAT´S ANOTHER MAJOR PROJECT THAT WE´RE DOING.

>> YEAH, IT´S COUPLED WITH ANOTHER PROJECT WE´RE DOING THERE AS WELL.

WE´RE DOING SOME DEVELOPMENT, ANTICIPATING GROWTH.

I THINK WE´RE GOING TO SHOW WHERE WE´RE MOVING TO ANOTHER PROJECT WHERE WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPAND THE FACILITY THERE AND ACCOMMODATE MORE CARGO IN ST. CROIX.

>> YOU KNOW, A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

DIFFERENT FACILITIES COMING IN, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN A TIMELY MANNER.

THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES WE´RE HAVING WITH COVID.

BUT ONCE YOU BATTLE THAT AND HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH THAT, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CLEAR SHIPMENTS QUICKLY SO CONTRACTORS CAN MOVE OUR PROJECTS.

>> THAT´S AN INTERESTING THOUGHT.

BECAUSE THE SUPPLY CHAIN HAD BEEN HAMPERED FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

BUT WHEN YOU DON´T HAVE THE PROPER STORAGE FACILITY, IT EVEN IMPACTS THE SUPPLY CHAIN MORE.

IT GIVES YOU MORE -- EVEN THE HOMEOWNERS HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF THAT.

TO THAT´S A HUGE PROJECT.

THAT WHOLE AREA IS, IN FACT, PART OF THE OPPORTUNITY ZONE.

SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, BILLING THIS OUT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I TRY TO TELL PEOPLE, THE FACT THAT 20% OF THE CARS, ESPECIALLY IN ST. THOMAS, GOES ON TO CRUISE SHIPS.

THIS WILL BE THE NEED FOR MORE CARGO.

HOW DOES IT BENEFIT THE GOVERNMENT?

THE GOVERNMENT GETS $50 FOR EVERY 24 CONTAINERS, AND $100 FOR EVERY FOOT.

THAT AMOUNTS TO OVER $2 MILLION IN REVENUE TO THE GOVERNMENT.

THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT.

SO THERE IS THAT CONTAINER FEE.

>> IT´S ALL CONNECTED, RIGHT?

AND I´M GLAD YOU TALKED ABOUT THE PORT.

THERE ARE A BUNCH OF ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS ON ST. CROIX FUNDING THROUGH VARIOUS SOURCES.

SO TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT SOME OF WHAT´S GOING ON.

>> THAT´S MY PROJECT THAT I´M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

JUNE 23rd, WE WILL HAVE THE PEOPLE IN THERE AND IT WILL BE ONE-STOP SHOPPING.

THAT WILL REPLACE WHAT´S HAPPENING.

THAT´S THE REASON WE´RE SO EXCITED ABOUT OUR PROJECT.

AND OUR ENGINEERS ARE WORKING CURRENTLY.

WE REALLY WANTED TO TRANSFORM THAT ENTIRE AREA.

PEOPLE CAN NOW GO TO THE PORT, AND CONDUCT THE BUSINESS THERE.

TAKING ALL OF THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXTRACT THAT.

WE BUILT A NEW BUILDING THERE A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

AND FOR THE NEXT SEASON, WE ALREADY HAVE SOME SQUALL CRUISE SHIP, WHO INDICATED THEY WOULD START COMING INTO OH THE BAY, PROVIDED WE COULD GET THAT STUFF GOING.

IT´S IMPORTANT FOR US AND FOR ST. CROIX TO MAKE SURE WE GET AWAY.

WE´RE WORKING ON GETTING THE DEMOLITION FOR IT, START THE DEMOLITION, BUT ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IN THE BAY, WE ARE MOVING THE CARGO AWAY FROM THE PASSENGER TRAFFIC, SO WE NO LONGER WILL HAVE THAT MIX OF PASSENGER AND CARGO IN THE SAME FACILITY.

SO ALL THE CARGO WILL BE MOVED DOWN.

WHICH WILL HAVE A NICE, NEW FACILITY, AND ALL THE CARGO WILL COME IN THERE, AS WELL.

RIGHT NOW, CONTAINERS, EVERYTHING, ALL THAT HEAVY CARGO WILL BE MOVED DOWN.

AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS THE FERRY PASSENGERS.

>> GREAT.

YOU ALSO HAVE GREAT THINGS GOING ON, ON THE WEST SIDE OF ST. CROIX WITH THE MARINE TERMINAL.

THERE WAS LEGISLATION THAT WILL HELP FUND IT.

>> $2.2 MILLION.

THAT OPERATION IS IN ST. CROIX, AS WELL.

THE FIRST QUESTION CAME TO US WAS, HEY, WHAT ABOUT THIS AREA THAT THE DIVE BOARDS, THAT WAS IN DISREPAIR FOR UMP TEEN YEARS.

THE HURRICANE ONLY MADE IT WORSE, BUT WE GOT IT SIGNED INTO LAW, $2.2 MILLION.

SO THE DESIGN IS DONE.

WE JUST HAD A MEETING ABOUT -- >> LAST WEEK.

>> WE ARE WAITING FOR THE WRITTEN CONDITIONS, BUT THAT IS READY TO GO.

THE CONTRACTOR HAS ALREADY -- THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN BID AND THE CONTRACTOR APPROVED TO GO.

>> YOU WANT TO TELL US WHAT´S HAPPENING ON ST. THOMAS?

>> ST. THOMAS, WE HAVE SOME LEGISLATION FOR US TO DO.

THAT IS THE ONLY FACILITY WE DON´T HAVE NO BATHROOM FACILITIES THERE.

WE´RE GOING TO PUT SOME MORE COVERING THERE, SO FOLKS -- THAT PROJECT AGAIN, MAYBE YOU CAN TELL US BEFORE WE SWITCH IT.

>> AND THAT ST. JOHN IMPROVEMENT FACILITY, WE´RE GOING TO IMPROVE THE COVERING FOR THE TRAVELING PUBLIC.

THERE WILL BE MORE COVERED AREAS, AS WELL AS WE´RE GOING TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL RESTROOM.

WE´LL HAVE PUBLIC RESTROOMS ON THE DOCK ITSELF, WHICH WE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

WE FINALLY GOT THE PRESERVATION APPROVAL, AND IT´S GOING TO BE A PLEASANTLY PLEASING FACILITY WHEN IT´S DONE.

WE HAVE THE FUNDING IN PLACE FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

AS SOON AS WE GET OUR PERMIT, WE´RE GOING TO PUT IT OUT TO BID.

>> WE COULD DO IT IN TEN MONTHS.

BUT WE NEED TWO MONTHS TO GET A CONTRACT ON BOARD.

WE HAVE EVERYTHING READY TO BID.

AS SOON AS WE GET OUR PERMIT, WE´RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT PROJECT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES NO SENSE IS TO START BEFORE THE FOURTH OF JULY.

WE KNOW WHAT´S GOING TO HAPPEN THEN, SO IT WILL´S BE PREPARED TO START AFTER FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVIT ACTIVITIES.

WE DID A PARTNERSHIP, AND WE HAVE TO DO THESE JOINT VENTURES TO LEVERAGE OUR ARMS SO THAT WE CAN BENEFIT, AND WE HAD -- WE WERE THE ACTUAL APPLICANT ON A $21.9 MILLION GRANT WE JUST RECEIVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

PIECES OF THE CONCRETE WERE LITERALLY FALLING OFF IN THE SEA.

RECENTLY, THE LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZED US TO -- IT WAS CLEAR THAT FACILITY COULD NO LONGER BE USED FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES.

SO WE ARE RIGHT NOW DOING THE WE MET WITH THEM, WE CONTINUE TO MEET WITH THEM, I MEET WITH THEM ALL THE TIME.

BUT THEY ARE THE ONES WE ARE FINANCING.

MOST OF THE DESIGN, THEY ARE THE ONES TO -- WE WERE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH THEM AND FROM THE COMPANIES, THAT´S WHERE THE $21 MILLION CAME FROM SHIPPING.

SO WE EXPECT TO STILL COLLECT FEES FROM THEM, BUT WE WILL HAVE A LONG-TERM MARRIAGE INTO THE FUTURE.

SO THAT PROJECT IS GETTING ALONG.

AND THE GOVERNMENT WINS.

SO PART OF THE TRADEOFF WAS WE MAKE SURE THAT FACILITIES ARE BUILT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THAT COULD HOUSE ALL THE FOOD STORAGE, ALL THE COLD STORAGE AND SO FORTH.

THOUSANDS OF SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSE SPACE NEEDS TO BE BUILT ON THAT SAME PROPERTY.

BUT MIND YOU, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SPENDS NO MONEY IN THAT WHOLE ARRANGEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THAT AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, AS WELL.

LET´S TALK ABOUT THE CARGO, THE DOCK IMPROVEMENTS.

>> CURRENTLY, CARGO.

WE ARE UPGRADING -- WE´RE DOING A MASTER PLAN IN CONJUNCTION WITH TROPICAL SHIPPING.

THE WORK WE´RE GOING TO DO IN THE CARGO AREA IS THAT GRANT MENTIONED EARLIER.

WE´RE GOING TO IMPROVE THE PAVEMENT AREAS, IMPROVE THE BULKHEAD, IMPROVE THE CLEATS THAT HOLD THE BOATS TO THE DOCKS.

WE ARE GOING TO IMPROVE THE DRAINAGE AND THE RUNOFF FROM THE FACILITY.

SO THAT´S IN THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW, WE FINALIZING THE GRAND AGREEMENT TO GET THAT PROJECT GOING.

>> SO LET´S NOT FORGET ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

WE´RE LOOKING AT SOME $38 MILLION.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE A REQUEST IN TO H.U.D.

FOR SOME VERIFICATION THAT WE CAN SPEND THAT $38 MILLION.

BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT MEETS OUR NATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND THEREFORE THE PROJECT CAN HAPPEN.

TELL THE PUBLIC WHAT IT MEANS SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO DO THIS JUDGING PROJECT.

>> THE JUDGING WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

IT WILL INCREASE THE MARGIN OF SAFETY FOR VESSELS COMING IN.

THE VESSELS, THAT´S ALL COMING IN, THEY´LL BE ABLE TO COME IN AND IF WE DO THAT DREDGING.

AND THEN FROM THE BAY AREA, THE MARGIN OF SAFETY, THE OYSTER VESSELS ARE COME THING THERE, BUT THE MARGIN OF SAFETY IS GOING TO BE INCREASED, AND WE´LL INCREASE THE DEPTH AND ALLOW FOR BIGGER CLASS VESSELS TO COME IN THERE, AS WELL.

SO BOTH SIDES WILL BE DEEPER, AND BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE MORE VESSELS.

>> HE´S RIGHT.

BUT ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE WANT TO LOOK AT, WE TALKED ABOUT THE LARGEST VESSELS IN THE WORLD.

CURRENTLY, IT CAN ONLY GO INTO THE BAY.

SO YOU HAVE SELF-OF THOSE VESSELS ON MANY OF THE CRUISE LINES.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN ACCOMMODATE THEM, AS WELL.

IF YOU HAVE TWO OF THAT TO COME IN ON ANY GIVEN DAY, ONE CAN ONLY HOLD THAT THERE.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE AS COMPETITIVE AS WE CAN WITH THE OTHER ISLANDS AND SO FORTH.

SO WE LOOK AT THIS PARTNERSHIP ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

WE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH ROYAL CARIBBEAN.

THEY ARE TRUE PARTNERS.

IN THE RELATIONSHIP WE ESTABLISHED WITH ROYAL, WE HAVE TO KNOW ST. CROIX IS GOING TO SEE 140,000 PASSENGERS COMING IN.

>> JUST AN UNDERSTANDING THAT´S THE POTENTIAL FOR NEXT YEAR.

THAT IS EXTREMELY EXCITING.

WE CAN´T END THIS EPISODE WITHOUT MENTIONING THE COMPLETION OF THE U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION TERMINAL.

TELL US ABOUT WHY THAT PROJECT IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> THAT IS THE PEOPLE TRAVERSING THE BRIDGES INTO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO THEY MUST STOP THERE, AND GET DECLARENCE.

SO THAT IS CRITICAL.

FOR A MINUTE, THEY WERE -- IT WAS VERY CUMBERSOME TRYING TO MAKE ROOM FOR THEM TO COME TO ST. THOMAS FOR THEM TO CLEAR.

SO IN OTHER WORDS, WE SEE THE TERRITORY, WE SEE A BIG BUSINESS IN THE DAYTIME PASSENGERS.

SO WHAT HAPPENED IS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO KNOW, THE PLEASURE BOAT OPERATORS, EVERY ONE OF THEM, THEN TO GO BACK TO ST. JOHN.

THAT FACILITY ALLOWS THEM TO STOP THERE, TAKE CARE OF OUR BUSINESS.

PASSENGERS COME OUT, AND SO FORTH.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO ENLARGE IT AND THAT WAS HARDENED.

THAT´S PURE CONCRETE FROM ROOF TO BOTTOM.

SO WE HOPE WE CAN SURVIVE.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT IS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> BUT REMEMBER, IT´S SO MUCH INTERRUPTION AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM TO MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

>> YOU KNOW, TIME FLIES ALWAYS WHEN WE´RE HAVING FUN.

AND THERE´S SO MANY GREAT THINGS HAPPENING AT THE PORT AUTHORITY.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, I WANT TO THANK OUR VIEWERS AND THOSE WHO REACH OUT TO US ON SOCIAL MEDIA DURING AND AFTER THE SHOW.

THIS TIME WE HEADED OUT TO GET QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> ACCORDING TO THE DAILY NEWS RECENTLY, THE PORT AUTHORITY AND WYCO ARE GOING TO COMBINE FORCES AND IT´S GOING TO BE ONE UNIT, OUTFIT, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

SO MY QUESTION WOULD BE, DO YOU THINK BRINGING WYCO, WHO HAVE HAD THEIR PROBLEMS, INTO THE PORT AUTHORITY, IS REALLY GOING TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS?

>> WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET A JET BRIDGE?

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST AND HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO WAIT?

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO QUICKLY, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MERGING?

>> I WOULD SAY IT WOULD LET EVERYTHING BE UNDER ONE UMBRELLA.

IT COULD SAVE SOME RESOURCES IN TERMS OF US HAVING TO DUPLICATE STUFF.

SO IT WILL BE A BENEFIT.

>> WE TALK ABOUT JET BRIDGES ALL THE TIME AND YOU TALKED ABOUT IT WHEN DO YOU THINK WE CAN GET THE JET BRIDGES?

>> WHAT I CAN SAY RIGHT NOW, OUR JET BRIDGES FOR THE ST. THOMAS AIRPORT IS CURRENTLY BEING DESIGNED.

WE HAVE A INITIAL PHASE WITH JET BRIDGES CONSTRUCTED BEFORE WE GET INTO THE MAIN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

>> I´M THINKING MAYBE FOUR YEARS OUT, THREE TO FOUR.

WE´VE GOT TO FINANCE, TO TRY TO GET TO THE JET BRIDGES.

WE UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY.

WE HAVE A GRAM RIGHT NOW TO GET THE DESIGN PART OF ST. CROIX.

WE HAVE THE MONEY FROM WAY BEFORE.

SO WE PROBABLY ARE MONTH OUT FROM THE FULL DESIGN.

>> SO A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE.

>> JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, WE ARE DOING APPROXIMATELY $60 MILLION IN PROJECTS AS I SPEAK TO YOU IN ST. CROIX AT ANOTHER $50 MILLION IN ST. THOMAS AND JOHN.

>> I THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

ANY QUICK LAST WORDS, REALLY QUICK?

>> JUST THANK THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR PATIENCE WHILE WE IMPROVE OUR FACILITIES TO SERVE THEM BETTER.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK THE ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE WE CAN´T DO THESE THINGS WITHOUT THEM.

MORE THAN THAT, I WANT TO THANK THE 365 EMPLOYEES WHO WORK FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY WHO MAKES ALL THESE THINGS HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE YOUNG DYNAMIC ENGINEERS THAT THIS PUBLIC HAD A CLOSE LOOK AT.

>> WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING A WONDERFUL CO-HOST.

AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CONTINUES TO STAY TUNED.

IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE WE ARE ALREADY IN OUR THIRD SEASON.

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU´RE HAVING FUN.

REMEMBER, JOIN US AGAIN NEXT WEEK, MAY 26th, WHEN WE WILL SIT DOWN WITH THE WHOPPER´S NEW CEO, ANDREW SMITH, TO TALK RECOVERY AND RELIABILITY.

BUT FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT US ONLINE.

YOU CAN ALSO KEEP THE DISCUSSION GOING AT FACEBOOK.COM/WTJX.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, AND WE´LL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.

♫ ♫ >> THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX, ITS BOARD, STAFF, OR UNDERWRITERS.