Newark-to-St. Croix nonstop service and proposed $300 million-plus Water Island resort development signal continued economic momentum across the territory
ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Acting Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq. used today’s Government House press briefing to announce two major economic development initiatives: new nonstop United Airlines service between Newark, New Jersey, and St. Croix, and a proposed luxury hotel, marina and residential development on Water Island representing a minimum private investment of $300 million.
The announcements, Acting Governor Roach said, reflect the Bryan-Roach Administration’s continued work to expand opportunity across the territory, strengthen the tourism economy, attract private investment and ensure that St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island all share in the Virgin Islands’ long-term growth.
Beginning October 31, 2026, United Airlines will launch new nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and St. Croix, with weekly Saturday flights. The route restores a long-sought direct connection between St. Croix and the northeastern United States, one of the territory’s most important visitor markets.
“This is a major step for St. Croix,” Acting Governor Roach said. “We have long advocated for the return of a direct flight from the northeastern United States to St. Croix. I want to thank United Airlines for its confidence in the U.S. Virgin Islands and for investing in St. Croix. I also want to thank Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King and the Department of Tourism for their continued work to bring this major opportunity home for the territory.”
Roach said the new airlift builds on the administration’s broader efforts to position St. Croix for sustainable economic growth. Over the past seven years, the administration has worked to increase cruise ship calls to St. Croix by more than 400 percent, strengthen Frederiksted as a cruise destination, improve the visitor experience through infrastructure investments, and market St. Croix as a distinct destination known for its history, culture, food, festivals, music and people.
“St. Croix remains a viable economy that requires additional momentum to achieve the level of growth we all desire,” Roach said. “That is the work this administration has been doing.”
The Acting Governor also announced that a major hotel and mixed-use development project on Water Island is moving forward for consideration. The proposed development would transform a significant Water Island property into a branded luxury resort, marina and residential destination featuring at least 88 hotel rooms, restaurants, a spa, marina facilities and up to 100 private residences.
Preliminary projections place the minimum private investment at $300 million, with total investment expected to reach approximately $440 million. The project is also projected to create roughly 200 construction jobs and approximately 300 permanent jobs once the resort and marina become operational.
“The Water Island project is more than a resort,” Acting Governor Roach said. “It is a development that combines tourism, infrastructure, employee housing and much-needed community investment.”
The proposed project would include substantial infrastructure improvements on Water Island, including upgrades to roads, drainage systems, utilities and marine facilities. Roach said those improvements are essential to ensuring that large-scale private investment also delivers meaningful public benefit.
“Projects of this scale do not come around every day,” Roach said. “If we want a stronger economy, a broader tax base, better infrastructure and more large-scale private investment in the Virgin Islands, we must be prepared to move serious opportunities forward with care, urgency and confidence.”
Acting Governor Roach said both announcements are part of the administration’s larger strategy to move the territory beyond recovery and toward durable economic growth.
“These two announcements are part of the same larger story,” Roach said. “They are about making sure the Virgin Islands continues moving forward, with St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island all sharing in the opportunity ahead.”
Learn more about the Water Island Hotel Development Project
During the briefing, Acting Governor Roach also addressed ongoing power disruptions affecting residents and businesses in the St. Thomas-St. John District. He acknowledged the frustration of the public and said residents have every right to expect more reliable service.
“I know people are frustrated. I am frustrated too,” Roach said. “The public has every right to expect better.”
Roach said the administration continues to press the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority for accountability, urgency and clear communication regarding outages and restoration efforts. He also expressed appreciation for WAPA employees, plant personnel and line crews working under difficult conditions to maintain operations and restore service.
“We recognize and appreciate the long hours and dedication of the men and women on the front lines who are doing everything they can to keep the system operating and restore power to our communities,” Roach said.
Acting Governor Roach noted that Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is currently representing the U.S. Virgin Islands at Caribbean Week in New York, hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The annual event brings together Caribbean leaders, tourism officials and industry executives to discuss airlift, investment, culture, resilience, regional competitiveness and the future of Caribbean tourism.
Governor Bryan is scheduled to deliver remarks during the event’s Opening Ceremony, where he will continue promoting the Virgin Islands in one of the territory’s most important tourism and media markets.
“As Acting Governor, I am proud to stand before you today on behalf of Governor Bryan and this administration and to say with conviction that the Virgin Islands is moving forward,” Roach said.
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