Administration’s Work to Reopen Designation Process and Redraw Census Boundaries Makes Renaissance and Former HOVENSA Refinery Areas Eligible for Nomination
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced today that the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands has nominated all 18 eligible census tracts across St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John for designation as Qualified Opportunity Zones, following sustained efforts by the Bryan-Roach Administration to reopen the federal designation process and expand the Territory’s eligibility.
Central to that effort was the Administration’s work through the federal census boundary process to redraw census tract lines so that strategically important areas on St. Croix’s South Shore — including the Renaissance industrial area and the former HOVENSA refinery property — would fall within census tracts eligible for nomination.
The Territory submitted the 18 nominations Friday, July 24, to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which will review and determine the final Qualified Opportunity Zone designations.
“This is something we have worked toward because we understood the importance of making these major economic assets eligible for the program,” Governor Bryan said. “Renaissance and the former HOVENSA refinery property have tremendous potential for industrial development, manufacturing, energy investment and job creation. We worked to reopen the process and address the census boundaries so these areas could be considered alongside eligible communities throughout the Territory.”
The nominations could expand opportunities for long-term private investment in housing, commercial and industrial development, tourism, manufacturing, healthcare, small businesses and other projects that create jobs and diversify the Virgin Islands economy.
The newly configured census geography is particularly significant for St. Croix’s South Shore because it makes areas encompassing the Renaissance industrial properties and former HOVENSA refinery complex eligible for nomination. The new eligibility also includes Cruz Bay on St. John for the first time.
Originally established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Opportunity Zone Program provides federal tax incentives to encourage long-term private investment in qualifying communities. The reopening of the designation process allowed states and U.S. territories to nominate eligible census tracts for a new round of Opportunity Zone designations.
The Bryan-Roach Administration used that opportunity to better align the Territory’s census geography with its economic development priorities and ultimately nominated every Virgin Islands census tract eligible under federal law.
“We did not want to leave any eligible community on the sidelines,” Governor Bryan said. “We were also intentional about ensuring that strategic assets like Renaissance and the former HOVENSA property could be considered. If approved, these designations would give us another tool to attract investment in new industries, housing, businesses and good-paying jobs across the Virgin Islands.”
The nominations complement the Administration’s broader economic development strategy, including disaster recovery investments; reconstruction and modernization of schools; investments in healthcare, renewable energy and housing; infrastructure improvements; airport and seaport modernization; and continued efforts to diversify the Territory’s economy.
The nominations now enter the federal review process. If approved by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the newly designated Qualified Opportunity Zones will take effect January 1, 2027.
Governor Bryan thanked the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority and the Administration’s economic development partners for their work on the census boundary process, eligibility review and submission of the nominations.
“We pursued this because we understand what Opportunity Zone designation can mean for the future of the Virgin Islands,” Governor Bryan said. “Our objective is to give the Territory every available tool to attract investment, grow our economy and expand opportunity for Virgin Islanders.”
Editor’s Note
The Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands nominated the following 18 eligible census tracts for consideration by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for Qualified Opportunity Zone designation. The geographic descriptions identify principal communities, estates and development areas within or associated with each tract. Individual census tract boundaries may encompass multiple estates and communities.
St. Croix — 9 Census Tracts
78010970200 — Census Tract 9702
Christiansted East and Altona area
78010970300 — Census Tract 9703
Golden Rock–Orange Grove area
78010970800 — Census Tract 9708
Kingshill–Upper Love–Lower Love–La Reine area
78010970900 — Census Tract 9709
Hope West–Allandale area
78010971000 — Census Tract 9710
Northwest St. Croix, including Annaly–Mount Victory–Fountain
78010971100 — Census Tract 9711
Frederiksted Town and surrounding area
78010971200 — Census Tract 9712
The Whim–Hannah’s Rest–Carlton area
78010971300 — Census Tract 9713
Hogensberg–Carlton–Williams Delight area
78010971400 — Census Tract 9714
St. Croix South Shore, including Golden Grove–Manning Bay–Anguilla and areas encompassing the Renaissance industrial properties and former HOVENSA refinery property
St. John — 1 Census Tract
78020950200 — Census Tract 9502
Cruz Bay and southwestern St. John, including Enighed, Contant, Bethany, Pastory and Chocolate Hole
St. Thomas — 8 Census Tracts
78030960100 — Census Tract 9601
Northeast St. Thomas, including Tabor and Harmony–Frydendal–Smith Bay
78030960200 — Census Tract 9602
Tutu–Anna’s Retreat area
78030960600 — Census Tract 9606
Northwest Charlotte Amalie, including Solberg–Lilliendahl and Marienhoj
78030960800 — Census Tract 9608
Charlotte Amalie West, including Crown Bay–Nisky–Water Island
78030960900 — Census Tract 9609
Southside St. Thomas, including Frenchman Bay–Bolongo–Bovoni
78030961000 — Census Tract 9610
Charlotte Amalie Harbor–Hassel Island waterfront area
78030961100 — Census Tract 9611
Estate Thomas–Sugar Estate and eastern Charlotte Amalie
78030961200 — Census Tract 9612
Taarneberg–Havensight and eastern Charlotte Amalie waterfront
Each of the 18 eligible census tracts is classified as rural for purposes of qualifying for enhanced incentives available to a Qualified Rural Opportunity Fund.
Final Opportunity Zone designations are subject to review and approval by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. If approved, the newly designated Qualified Opportunity Zones will take effect January 1, 2027.
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