Strong turnout reflects growing career opportunities and underscores the importance of where candidates stand on a safe, responsible and environmentally conscious restart of the St. Croix refinery
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. today commended St. Croix businessman Daren Henry and his team for organizing a recent skilled-labor job fair on St. Croix, saying the strong turnout reflected the confidence, ambition and readiness of Virgin Islanders preparing to take part in the Territory’s continued economic growth.
The event drew significant participation from residents seeking information about skilled-labor careers, training pathways and employment opportunities connected to the Territory’s expanding construction, industrial, infrastructure and recovery-related sectors.
“The overwhelming participation we witnessed is a clear indication that Virgin Islanders are ready to work, ready to build careers, and ready to be part of the Territory’s continued economic transformation,” Governor Bryan said. “I want to congratulate Daren Henry and everyone involved in making this event such a success.”
Governor Bryan noted that the strong attendance reflects the public’s interest in the thousands of jobs being created through the Territory’s historic recovery and reconstruction efforts, as well as the growing interest surrounding the potential restart of refinery operations on St. Croix.
“For years, we have worked tirelessly to position St. Croix for economic growth through infrastructure investments, workforce development, and strategic partnerships. The level of interest shown at this job fair demonstrates that our people recognize the opportunities that lie ahead,” Governor Bryan said.
The Governor emphasized that the possibility of restarting refinery operations remains one of the most significant economic development opportunities for St. Croix and the Virgin Islands as a whole. A responsible restart, pursued safely and with appropriate environmental safeguards, could create substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities while strengthening the island’s industrial base and expanding economic activity throughout the Territory.
“Events like this remind us why it is important to keep our focus on creating jobs and expanding opportunities for Virgin Islanders,” Governor Bryan said. “We must pay close attention to developments regarding a potential refinery restart because of the tremendous impact it could have on employment, business activity, government revenues, and the overall quality of life for our residents.”
Governor Bryan also said the strong public response to the recent job fair should be instructive as the Territory enters another election season.
“Virgin Islanders should carefully consider where candidates stand on major economic initiatives such as the refinery restart. These are not abstract policy discussions; they are decisions that directly affect jobs, family incomes, economic growth, and the future of St. Croix. The enthusiasm displayed at Friday’s job fair sends a strong message that our people want opportunities, and they want leaders who are prepared to support responsible economic development.”
The Governor concluded by thanking Daren Henry, participating employers, workforce development partners and the hundreds of residents who attended the event.
“The future of St. Croix is bright, and the turnout at this job fair demonstrates that Virgin Islanders are ready to seize the opportunities ahead. We must continue working together to create pathways to prosperity for our people and ensure that economic growth benefits every community in our Territory.”
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