May 10, 2001 — Support was unanimous Wednesday for Senate Vice President Adelbert Bryan’s draft plan for sustainable economic development.
Bryan, who chairs the Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, unveiled the plan at a meeting in Frederiksted that drew a cross-section of government officials and representatives from private-sector organizations. The plan was put together by Bryan and his staff to stimulate the territory’s ailing economy.
"The action plan of this draft addresses many of the development issues facing the territory and makes recommendations for ‘sustainable’ and growth-oriented solutions," the plan summary states.
While all the people who commented on the plan said they would help Bryan carry it out, many warned that similar efforts in the past never went anywhere. The plan itself talks about efforts that failed, mostly because they were never enforced.
"We’ve gotten so cerebral and academic, all we do is testify," said Gordon Finch, executive director of the V.I. Port Authority. "We need to move from the plan stage and get into the plan and implement stage."
Carmelo Rivera, president of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, and Wendall Snider, president of the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association, both pledged support for the plan. Rivera stressed that the private sector must be at the forefront of implementing economic change in the territory.
"The notion of promoting sustainable economic development is music to our ears," Rivera said. "Many of the ills can be fixed or eliminated by sustainable economic development."
Snider said that while his organization is ready to commit to the process, there will probably be "vigorous debate."
"But that’s how we find the truth," he said.
The plan, which can be viewed on Bryan’s website, focuses on transparency in government, coordination, education, technology and quality of life in the territory. Four sections — analysis, vision, action plan and evaluation — constitute the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. An additional section focuses on funding.
The Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture and Consumer Protection will have another public hearing on the plan at 10 a.m. Friday in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers on St. Thomas. That will be followed at 6 p.m. on the same day with a presentation at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort.
