Government of the United States Virgin Islands

President approves extension of Disaster Unemployment Assistance, 1,340 Virgin Islanders eligible for retroactive benefits

Virgin Islanders who lost their jobs following Hurricanes Irma and Maria may be eligible for an additional 26 weeks of disaster-related unemployment assistance. U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 into law on Friday, following the approval of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. The Act retroactively extends unemployment benefits […]

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V.I. Government and Frenchman’s Reef reach agreement to help hotel reopen and serve as hardened emergency shelter

In what was described as a “another major milestone” in the Territory’s recovery from last year’s devastating hurricanes, Governor Kenneth E. Mapp announced Wednesday that an agreement had been reached to assist in the reopening of Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort on St. Thomas. The Mapp-Potter Administration has officially entered into a Memorandum

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Congress approves recovery reforms recommended by Governor Mapp, Package includes extension for Disaster Unemployment Assistance

The United States Senate gave final approval to the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 on Wednesday. The Act retroactively provides an additional 26 weeks of disaster-related unemployment assistance for the U.S. Virgin Islands for a total of 52 weeks of assistance following the disaster declarations for Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The legislation will make

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$4 million approved for waste haulers, other vendors

Governor Kenneth E. Mapp has approved operating expenses for the V.I. Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) and additional funding for vendors. Bill No. 32-0290 appropriates $25.4 million from the General Fund to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, which includes $4 million for vendor payments. The Governor prioritized

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Governor Mapp signs off on $243 million HUD recovery grant

THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Kenneth Mapp and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary Pamela Hughes Patenaude have announced the formal execution of a$243 million grant to help Virgin Islanders recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The signing of this agreement now paves the way to speed recovery dollars needed to

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Administration supports salary increases for teachers, plans to reopen negotiations on Friday

The Government plans to return to the negotiating table with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) this week and remains committed to raising salaries for union members and government employees across the board, Governor Kenneth Mapp said Monday. The Governor spoke at a news conference called to address matters related to education, including teachers’ recent

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Contract signed for new phase of Melvin Evans Highway repairs, Twenty road projects now underway

Governor Kenneth E. Mapp has announced his approval of a contract for more major improvements to St. Croix’s Melvin Evans Highway. The work – which includes paving, repairs and safety provisions – will take place from Hannah’s Rest to the Good Hope Intersection. V.I. Paving has been contracted to complete the $2.2 million project, fully

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Tax refunds continue to be processed, latest batch to be mailed out Tuesday

Department of Finance Commissioner Valdamier O. Collens and Bureau of Internal Revenue Director Marvin L. Pickering have advised that 901 more Virgin Islanders will receive income tax refunds this week. Director Pickering said the checks, which total $7.2 million, are to be mailed out on Tuesday. “This latest release of refunds will bring the total

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