USVIEDA to be recognized by the Minority Business Development Agency for helping small and minority-owned businesses in the U.S. Virgin Islands
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - October 18, 2018 - Kamal I. Latham, chief executive officer of the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA), announces that the USVIEDA will be awarded the 2018 Disaster Recovery Advocate of the Year Award this week by Florida's Minority Business Development Agency Export Center. This award will be presented to the USVIEDA on Friday, October 19, 2018 during the 36th Annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Business Matchmaker Conference & Awards Power Lunch in Miami, FL, for its performance in providing economic services and resources to small and minority businesses in the USVI.
The USVIEDA will also be recognized for its engagement and support of the MBDA during the post-hurricane recovery process throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. Kamal I. Latham, chief executive officer of the USVIEDA; and Ms. Cusa Holloway, USVIEDA incubator program manager, will attend the event to accept the award for the USVIEDA. In 2018, representatives from the MBDA Export Center & Disaster Assistance Programs for South Florida, Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands provided technical assistance to the small and minority business community in the USVI following the destruction caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.
“At the USVIEDA, our team understands the value of partnerships, especially now after the devastating impact of two major hurricanes on the U.S. Virgin Islands more than a year ago," said Kamal I. Latham, chief executive officer of the USVIEDA. "We certainly appreciate this award and thank the MBDA for supporting our small and minority businesses in the Territory during this recovery period. The USVIEDA looks forward to continuing its partnership with the MBDA," added Mr. Latham.
As an honoree at the MEDWeek Awards Business Matchmaker Conference & Awards Power Lunch, the USVIEDA will be among several outstanding minority entrepreneurs and advocates to be presented with the prestigious MEDWeek 2018 Awards of Excellence. These awards will be presented to these individuals and organizations for remarkable strides they have made in their respective industries, the businesses and communities they serve, and the positive impact their work and contributions are having on the local and national economies.
“The MEDWeek Awards is the highest business honor presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce – MBDA, to minority-owned businesses and advocates throughout the nation each year,” said Marie R. Gill, operator/executive director, MBDA Export Center & Disaster Assistance Programs for South Florida, Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands. “We congratulate the USVIEDA on receiving this award and thank them for their work and collaboration with the MBDA which serves in the best interest of the small and minority business community in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
For more information on the MEDWeek Business Matchmaker Conference & Awards Power Lunch, visit https://medweekflorida.org/ .
About the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority. The U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA) is a semi-autonomous governmental instrumentality [of the Government of the Virgin Islands] that was created on February 1, 2001. It is responsible for the promotion and enhancement of economic development of the United States Virgin Islands. The USVIEDA assumes, integrates and unifies the functions of these four entities: Economic Development Commission, Virgin Islands Economic Development Park Corporation, Economic Development Bank and the Enterprise Zone Commission. The USVIEDA accomplishes its mission by attracting multi-national investors to the Territory to establish or relocate their business in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It also provides financial assistance for new and existing small to medium-sized businesses in the Territory and assists V.I. residents and business owners with rehabilitating their properties located in blighted and distressed areas that were once vibrant economic centers of activity in the Territory. Learn more about the USVIEDA at www.usvieda.org; or send an email to info@usvieda.org .
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