Governor Highlights Economic Turnaround, Historic Recovery Execution, and Bold 2026 Agenda for Healthcare, Schools, Energy, Housing, and Public Safety
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on Monday night delivered his eighth and final State of the Territory Address, outlining what he described as a seven-year shift from instability to sustained progress, while announcing major 2026 initiatives to modernize healthcare, rebuild schools, expand affordable housing, strengthen public safety, and drive down energy costs.
Speaking before the 36th Legislature in the Earl B. Ottley Legislative Chamber, the governor framed the address around the theme, “Anchored in Progress,” pointing to long-term structural reforms, record recovery execution, and measurable economic gains, while also acknowledging the pressures Virgin Islanders have faced from inflation, utility challenges, cybersecurity threats, and changing federal conditions.
“Anchored in Progress is not a finish line. It is a firm mooring in moving water,” Governor Bryan said. “Not perfect. Not instant. But real.”
Economic gains, debt reduction, and fiscal stability
Governor Bryan reported that the territory’s gross domestic product has grown from $3.9 billion in 2018 to an estimated $5 billion today, while unemployment dropped from 10.7% to 3.6%, the lowest level in modern Virgin Islands history. He said the administration reduced overall government debt by 25%—from $2.2 billion to $1.6 billion—and will leave office with more than $70 million in cash reserves and a funded budget stabilization (“rainy day”) fund with more than $10 million.
He also highlighted the permanent restoration of the rum cover-over rate to $13.25 per proof gallon, describing it as a generational victory for the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS) and long-term fiscal planning.
Delivering for workers and taxpayers
The governor said the administration has paid half a billion dollars in income tax refunds to residents during its tenure, including more than $47 million paid in the past year. He also highlighted major investments in government workers, including repayment of the historic 8% salary cut, delivery of more than $66 million in retroactive wages, and passage of legislation increasing the minimum government salary to $35,000.
Recovery moves from planning to construction
Pointing to what he called a decisive turn in the recovery effort, the governor reported that more than $11.8 billion in federal recovery funds are now under contract, supporting construction on more than 36 complex projects across schools, healthcare facilities, roads, and utilities.
He outlined active school reconstruction across both districts, including contracts for the Charlotte Amalie High School main campus and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School, plus contracting progress for multiple St. Croix campuses and the territory’s major high school rebuilds.
On healthcare infrastructure, the governor said the administration is finalizing construction contracting for the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged, advancing a health campus at Knud Hansen, and moving into final preparations to vacate the main facility at Juan F. Luis Hospital so demolition can begin this year.
2026 healthcare agenda: cancer care returns and one hospital system
Among the night’s biggest announcements, Governor Bryan said the territory will reopen the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Center in 2026, allowing Virgin Islanders to receive comprehensive cancer care at home.
He also announced support for establishing a single territorial hospital system, aimed at pooling resources and negotiating collectively to deliver more consistent care. He added that the Virgin Islands is collaborating with other insular areas on a telehealth initiative designed to modernize health records and improve care coordination.
Energy transformation and a call to cut rates
Addressing ongoing public frustration with outages and billing issues, Governor Bryan said the administration is determined to turn WAPA into a renewable energy utility, highlighting utility-scale solar and battery projects already delivering more than 30 megawatts paired with storage, and additional projects at Fortuna and Bovoni.
He called on WAPA and the Public Services Commission to take steps to lower electricity rates within the first quarter of 2026, and said WAPA will begin rolling out automated metering infrastructure to reduce estimated billing and improve accuracy.
New schools, new roads, new buses
In education, the governor announced that the territory will permanently close John H. Woodson Junior High School in 2026 and move students into the new Arthur A. Richards PreK–8 campus, which he described as the first new school to open in the Virgin Islands in 30 years.
He also outlined major 2026 road investments, including $28 million for road reconstruction and resurfacing projects on St. Croix, and new projects spanning St. Thomas and St. John from Julien Jackson Road to Nazareth, including Bolongo, Bovoni, and Skyline Drive.
Housing, homeownership, and VI Slice expansion
Governor Bryan highlighted progress on affordable and workforce housing, including new and redeveloped units at David Hamilton Jackson Terrace, ongoing work at Tutu Hi-Rise, and visible construction at Estate Donoe.
He reported that the VI Slice Moderate Income Homeownership Program helped 72 families become first-time homeowners by the close of 2025 and said the program has been authorized for an additional $2 million this year. He urged lawmakers to pass legislation to make VI Slice permanent.
Public safety modernization and judicial nominations
The governor reported major steps to strengthen emergency response and policing, including acquisition of seven new ambulances, expansion of local EMT and paramedic training, and continued deployment of the Real Time Crime Center and e-citation systems.
He also announced that VIPD will use advanced drone technology to support emergency response.
In the judiciary, the governor announced the nomination of Judge Denise M. Francois to the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands and attorney Renee M. Andre to the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas–St. John District).
Parks, ports, and major redevelopment
Governor Bryan cited the administration’s creation of the Virgin Islands Territorial Park System and highlighted the purchase of more than 2,400 acres at Maroon Ridge for permanent preservation.
He also reported progress on port modernization, including received bids for the Charlotte Amalie Harbor dredging project and plans to begin demolition at the Addelita Cancryn campus to unlock redevelopment and capacity on the waterfront. He highlighted a $200 million public-private redevelopment at Crown Bay to modernize upland areas and add a new cruise berth.
A voter-driven proposal for long-term hospital and road funding
In a major policy proposal, Governor Bryan called on the Legislature to consider placing a voter referendum on the ballot to allow residents to decide whether to dedicate targeted revenues toward core services—specifically, a 1% income tax dedicated to hospitals and a 1% income tax dedicated to maintaining local roads.
“This is not a decision for one Governor or one Legislature,” Bryan said. “It is a choice about our shared future, and I believe it belongs in the hands of the people.”
The governor closed by urging Virgin Islanders to reject cynicism and stay engaged in the work of self-governance.
“Our anchor holds,” he said. “And if we hold our course, if we keep our faith strong and our standards high, then our best days are not behind us. They are in front of us.”
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