Attendees to receive information on USVIEDA economic development programs for USVI residents, business owners
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - April 23, 2019 – As the 2019 U.S. Virgin Islands Carnival season begins to reach its peak with festive and cultural activities, U.S. Virgin Islands residents, business owners and the general public will be able to take some time during the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Carnival Food Fair to learn about programs and services that can help them improve local neighborhoods, grow and support their business, and help stimulate economic activity in the Territory all year-round.
The U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA) announces that it will host its annual Open House from 10AM to 2PM on May 1, 2019 during the 2019 U.S. Virgin Islands Carnival Food Fair Day on St. Thomas. This Open House will be held in Garden Street at E's Garden Teahouse and Things on 2A Commandant Gade in downtown Charlotte Amalie. E’s Garden Teahouse and Things is located in the general area of the Alvaro deLugo Post Office and in the vicinity of the entrance on Main Street. This teahouse is the purple and green building next to the Midtown Guesthouse and across from Ideal Restaurant which are just up from the stoplight on backstreet.
During the USVIEDA Open House, attendees will learn how qualified applicants can receive tax exemptions and tax credits to revitalize the enterprise zones in the USVI which are distressed neighborhoods such as Garden Street-UpStreet and Savanne-Downstreet on St. Thomas and Frederiksted and Christiansted on St. Croix. Open House attendees will also learn about how to get access to funding with low-interest loans for local businesses, tax incentives for small and large businesses, and affordable commercial spaces for lease at local industrial parks.
USVIEDA staff members will also be at the Open House to meet with attendees who have questions or desire to speak one-on-one about the various economic development programs and services that are offered by the USVIEDA.
In addition to learning about USVIEDA programs and services, attendees will be able to participate in fun activities such as free USVI soup tastings and ongoing raffles to win giveaway prizes. Attendees are also encouraged to support local small manufacturers who will have locally-made products on sale during the Open House.
The USVIEDA is the lead economic development organization in the USVI and consists of subsidiary entities such as the Enterprise Zone Commission which assists residents and local, small-business owners with rehabilitating areas that are considered to be distressed neighborhoods that were once vibrant centers of economic activity; and the V.I. Economic Development Commission which offers tax incentives for small to large businesses.
Other USVIEDA entities include the Economic Development Bank which offers low-interest loans for local small to medium size businesses, and the V.I. Economic Development Park Corporation which offers affordable commercial spaces at the Virgin Islands Industrial Park on St. Thomas and the William D. Roebuck Industrial Park on St. Croix.
To learn more about the USVIEDA Open House, contact Shanell Petersen at 340-714-1700; or by email at info@usvieda.org.
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