Economic Development

WASHINGTON, DC– Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, a Member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement after the announcement by President Trump regarding rural broadband being included in his infrastructure proposal: “Broadband is not a luxury it is a necessity. Affordable broadband is a building block for healthy communities. As the Internet becomes crucial in economics, education, and civic life, communities tha... Read more

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett met with Congressional Leadership and White House Administration Officials this week to discuss a number of issues related to the Virgin Islands. Plaskett, who met with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Tuesday, also took the time to discuss the Virgin Islands’ current fiscal issues and legislation she and other Territorial Delegates have introduced in the current Congress that will help correct some of those issues. “My meeting on Tuesday with Speaker Ryan wa... Read more

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett has been named Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy and Environment in the 115th Congress. “I am grateful to be given the responsibility as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy and Environment for the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. As Ranking Member, it is my plan to bring much needed attention, through hearings, field work and investigations, into ... Read more

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority moved one step closer to completing its propane conversion project thanks to the approval of the long awaited permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). The approval of the ACOE Permit will allow WAPA to improve, enhance, and convert the existing fuel pier at the Harley plant and offshore vessel mooring, to use liquid propane gas (LPG) as the primary source of fuel for power generation. Congresswoman Plaskett’s office had been working closel... Read more

After working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to streamline the permitting process for public and private development projects in the Virgin Islands earlier this year, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett has learned the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has released a biological opinion (BiOp) on the environmental impact of one of those projects. The BiOp, issued to USACE by NOAA Fisheries on June 17, concluded that the Amalago Bay project also known as the William and ... Read more

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett attended a small roundtable discussion at the White House with select Members of Congress, Administration officials and private sector companies to discuss renewable energy initiatives in low-income communities on June 17. Plaskett said the discussion was an opportunity for the stakeholders to discuss the President’s upcoming initiatives to “super charge” activity in renewable energy for areas that have not seen the benefit in the past. The White House affirmed its ... Read more

Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett announced today that the Virgin Islands Port Authority is set to receive additional funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to construct a $10,000 square foot Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) building at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix. Plaskett said VIPA would receive an additional $3.6 million to accompany the $2.3 million awarded to the authority last week, bringing the total funding awarded to construct the ARFF... Read more

Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett announced today that the Virgin Islands Port Authority is set to receive $2.3 Million in federal funding to construct an aircraft rescue and fire fighting building at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (HERA) in St. Croix. “I am pleased to announce that this grant that has been awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation. This funding will, no doubt, augment the fire and rescue operations of the Virgin Islands Port Authority at Henry Roh... Read more

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is making available $2.3 million in funding for the establishment of regional centers to support comprehensive food safety training and education, pursuant to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). “I am pleased to announce this new funding opportunity through the U.S Department of Agriculture. Funding available to support and help train our local fa... Read more

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, this week, introduced three pieces of legislation aimed at improving the economy in the U.S. Virgin Islands. • H.R. 2116 proposes to establish a special visa waiver program for the Virgin Islands, and would allow the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to approve visa-less entry into the Virgin Islands for residents of CARICOM and other countries that are not current participants in the Visa Waiver Program. If passed, the Virgin Islands Special Visa Waiver Program... Read more