Governor Bryan, Delegate Plaskett Talk With Main Street Business Owners

October 23, 2020 | 12:40 PM AST

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Following Thursday’s signing ceremony for the land-swap agreement between the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) and the National Park Service, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and Delegate Stacey Plaskett took a walk down Main Street on St. Thomas to talk to business owners.

The Governor and the Delegate asked business owners how they were faring during the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19, discussed federal pandemic business assistance programs and listened to suggestions and ideas about how the GVI could help local businesses.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. speaks with Pash Daswani, a Main Street business owner and the President of the India Society of the Virgin Islands, inside Gold Corner jewelry store on Main Street in Charlotte Amalie.

“Businesses across the Territory, and across the mainland, are struggling mightily during the havoc the pandemic has caused economically to stay afloat. Businesses on Main Street, which rely heavily on Tourism and visitors who come to take advantage of our duty-free status are particularly affected,” Governor Bryan said. “The Bryan Roach Administration promises to explore every possible avenue to help our local merchants and business owners, and we will make sure they have access to all federal programs to help the struggling economy.”