Gov. John deJongh Jr. signed an executive order this week designating areas within historic towns on St. Thomas and St. Croix to be the focus of economic and cosmetic renewal projects, according to Government House.
“The United States Virgin Islands recognizes the importance of revitalizing these once vibrant towns with an infusion of new business and economic opportunities, to renew their physical appearance, and to rejuvenate and diversify the local economy by providing incentives for business relocation and job creation,” the order reads. It goes on to acknowledge the negative impact of the global economic downturn, and the importance of resurrecting confidence and moral among Virgin Islanders through the town restoration projects.
The order says it will be the policy of Government House to establish "Enterprise Zones" within those historic towns “in order to attract new businesses and provide incentives for investment in order to sustain the future preservation of these towns for the People of the Virgin Islands.”
The order then designates the geographic borders of Enterprise Zones in Charlotte Amalie and Frederiksted.
The Enterprise Zone Commission will have oversight and responsibility for administering the zones as part of its overall obligations in administering the territory’s Enterprise Zone Program, according to Government House.
