U.S. Virgin Islands — Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. joined Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen, members of the 36th Legislature, community leaders and students on Friday to break ground on the first of two planned 100,000-gallon cisterns that will provide vital water resources to farmers in Bordeaux.
The groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction. It is a long-awaited response to the calls of farmers who have struggled for decades with inadequate access to reliable water. The Bryan-Roach administration emphasized that the project is a direct investment in the future of agriculture and in the Bordeaux farming community, which has long stood at the heart of the territory’s food security and cultural heritage on the island of St. Thomas.
“For too many years, our farmers, especially here in Bordeaux, have carried the burden of doing more with less,” Bryan said. “They have been patient, resilient, and clear about what they need. Today we are not just listening. We are acting. These cisterns are not a promise. They are proof that this administration is committed to turning words into results for our farmers.”
The first cistern will reclaim water that would otherwise be lost by capturing runoff from an existing 60,000-gallon cistern. The facilities, constructed by Habibah Bell of Harnel Engineering and Construction, are designed to expand the agricultural water supply and ease the long-standing challenges faced by farmers in Bordeaux.
Friday’s groundbreaking also came with the introduction of a new 2,500-gallon water tanker, which is already in operation and will support the distribution of water to farmers across the islands.
In addition to the cisterns and the tanker, the Department of Agriculture has acquired a new backhoe to provide farmers with more reliable and responsive support. Commissioner Petersen noted that these resources are part of a broader effort to modernize the department’s services and strengthen confidence among farmers.
“This project represents a turning point,” Petersen said. “For years, farmers have voiced their concerns about water access. This administration heard those concerns, and with the help of our community partners and the leadership of We Grow Food, we are delivering infrastructure that directly addresses the challenges farmers face.”
We Grow Food President Delano Francis welcomed the project as a major step forward and expressed appreciation for the partnership between government and community that made it possible.
The Bryan-Roach administration underscored that the cisterns, the tanker, and the new equipment are part of a larger strategy to strengthen agriculture throughout the Virgin Islands. The administration has invested in resilient infrastructure, expanded resources for farmers, and prioritized agricultural development as part of its economic diversification and food security goals.
“Building these cisterns, putting new equipment to work, and introducing the water tanker are tangible steps,” Bryan said. “They also symbolize something larger: our commitment to restoring trust between government and the farming community. For too long, farmers in Bordeaux and across our islands have questioned whether government would follow through. Today we are showing that we will.”
The governor reaffirmed that agriculture remains central to his administration’s agenda, not only as a driver of economic growth but also as a matter of culture, identity and survival.
The Bryan-Roach administration remains committed to building resilient infrastructure, supporting farmers and advancing the territory’s recovery while promoting transparency, restoring trust in government and stabilizing the economy.
For more information, visit transparency.vi.gov, follow @governmenthouseusvi on Facebook, X and YouTube, and @govhouseusvi on Instagram.
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