>>> THE UPCOMING PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PROGRAM ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF WTJX OR ITS STAFF OR UNDERWRITING.

>>> THANK YOU FOR TUNING INTO ANOTHER EPISODE OF RECOVERY IN FOCUS.

I AM ADRIAN WILLIAMS GOVERNOR BRIAN NAMED THESE AS HIS TOP PRIORITIES IN 2019.

AND HE HAS NOT WAVERED.

WHILE THESE LONG-TERM RECOVERY AREAS HAVE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, THE FOCUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO GET PROJECTS INTO CONSTRUCTION AND EXPEND THOSE RECOVERY -- EFFICIENTLY.

WITH OVER 786 PROJECTS AND MORE THAN 400 ACTIVE PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE, IT IS CLEAR, THE RECOVERY IS MOVING.

LISTEN UP TO THE DETAILS ON WHAT IS HAPPENING AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE BY THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF AS HE MAKES HIS SECOND APPEARANCE ON RECOVERY IN FOCUS.

>>> FIRST, LET´S LOOK AT OTHER DISASTER RELATED PROJECTS MAKING NEW HEADLINES IN THE TERRITORY.

>> FROM THE WTJX STUDIO , CRITICAL ROADWORK IS UNDERWAY ON THE SMALLEST OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THE LEAD ENGINEER TELLS US MORE.

>> WE HAVE A FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUNDED PROJECT.

THE CONTRACTOR FOR THIS PROJECT IS --AND THE COPPER CONSTRUCTION IS $2.8 MILLION.

THE LOCATIONS ARE WHERE THE REPAIRS WILL RECUR.

WHERE WE ARE REBUILDING 670 FEET OF ROADWAYS BY REMOVING THE DAMAGED PAVEMENT AND SURVEYING APPROXIMATELY FIVE INCHES WHERE TEXTILE WOULD BE INSTALLED TO STRENGTHEN THE ROADWAY BEFORE THE FINAL LAYER IS PLACED.

DRAINAGE WILL BE IMPROVED BY CONSTRUCTING CONCRETE TO DIVERT WATER OFF THE ROADWAY AS IT TRAVELS DOWN THE MAIN ROAD.

CARBON CLEANING IS ALSO -- STORM WATER ONTO THE ROADWAY.

THIS NEXT PART IS THE ROAD WHERE WE WILL RECONSTRUCT 1400 FEET OF PAVEMENT AND ALSO OVERLAY 236 FEET OF PAVEMENT.

IT WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED TO CHANNEL WATERS TO EXISTING STORM DRAINS.

THE LOCATIONS ARE ON HONEYMOON BEACH ROAD ADJACENT TO THE FAIRY WHERE WORKERS COMMENCE .

>> RESIDENTS CAN EXPECT WORK TO CONTINUE INTO JANUARY, 2023.

ANOTHER PROJECT REVITALIZING PUBLIC HOUSING AFTER THE 2017 STORM HAS COME TO A CLOSE.

EDWARD, CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR WITH O´REILLY CONSTRUCTION, SHARES THE DETAILS ON THE MARLEY HOMES IN ADDITION TO ROOFING REPAIR PROJECTS.

>> THIS PROJECT BEGAN AROUND JUNE POINT OUR RESPONSIBILITY HERE WAS TO REPLACE GROUPS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY HURRICANE MARIA.

SOME OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDED REPLACING ICE AND WATER SHIELD, INSTALLING NEW GALVANIZE AND GUTTERS.

NOW THAT THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED, THE RESIDENCE WILL BE MORE COMFORTABLE LIVING IN THEIR APARTMENTS AND NOT WORRY ABOUT LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS.

AUTHORITY COMPLETED SIMILAR ROOFING REPAIR PROJECTS FOR VARIOUS BUILDINGS IN PEARSON GARDENS ON ST. THOMAS.

DC W IS ON THE MOVE AGAIN, THIS TIME ON ST. CROIX.

OUR WORK CONTINUES TO REPAIR THE HIGHWAYS.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PROBLEMATIC INTERCEPTION AT CLIFTON HILLS IS IN FULL SWING.

CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM MANAGER JOHN PAUL DAVID TALKS TO US ABOUT THE PROJECT.

>> THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO GRACE CIVIL LLC.

OUR CONSTRUCTION COST 9,000,587 .

IT WAS FUNDED WITH FEDERAL MONIES.

AND A BIT OF LOCAL FUNDS.

CONSTRUCTION STARTED IN EARNEST AT THE END OF AUGUST .

THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF 360 DAYS.

THE CONTRACTOR SHOULD BE HERE THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE THE CONNECTION FROM LORRAINE TO THE HIGHWAY , BOTH THE WESTBOUND AND EASTBOUND LANE, WE ARE GOING TO DO AN ADDITIONAL LANE SO THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE THE SITUATION WHERE THE LANES ARE SHARED AS IT CURRENTLY EXISTS NOW WHERE THE --BOTH SHARE A LIEN AND CAN CREATE BACKUP OF TRAFFIC, ESPECIALLY AT PEAK HOURS.

AT THE END OF CONSTRUCTION, THE EXISTING ROADWAY IS GOING TO BE --THIS IMPROVEMENT ON THE MAJOR LANE HERE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT 3000 FEET WITH SIDEWALKS ON THE WESTERN SIDE AND A SIDEWALK ON THE EASTERN SIDE.

IT IS GOING TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT.

SAFETY IS GOING TO BE IMPROVED.

FOR BOTH MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS POINT >> WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE THE DEPARTMENT OF HELP BROKE GROUND IN LATE SEPTEMBER ON A $3.7 MILLION PROJECT TO REBUILD THE BUILDING ON ST. THOMAS.

NOW THAT THE BUILDING HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED, THE DEPARTMENT IS READY TO START CONSTRUCTION AT A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY.

GOVERNOR BRIAN PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONY, COMMENTING ON THE BENEFITS NEW CONSTRUCTION AND BRING TO A COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS WE ARE SHAPING THE NEXT GENERATION INVESTING IN SINGLE MOMS AT A VERY YOUNG AGE.

THE 7% OF SENIORS AT OUR HIGH SCHOOLS BELONG TO SINGLE FEMALE- HEADED HOUSEHOLDS.

IF WE CONCENTRATE ON HELPING MOTHERS, WE IMPACT AND WE CHANGE OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY.

WHEN WE ARE DOING THESE THINGS, WE ARE NOT ONLY BUILDING BUILDINGS, BUT WE ARE SHAPING ISLANDS, BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, THIS COMPLEX IS GOING TO BE TOTALLY REDONE.

THE IMPACT ON THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY, WITH THIS BUILDING GOES HERE, IT´S BEAUTIFUL.

IT IS GOING TO CHANGE THE OUTLOOK AND THE FEELING OF EVERYBODY WHO LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY POINT >> THE DISASTER RECOVERY GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAID THE NEW FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE IN SEPTEMBER, 2023. BUSINESS OWNERS, CONTRACTORS, AND CONSULTANTS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS WITH THE RECOVERY SHOULD VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF ANNOUNCEMENTS AND DETAILED INFORMATION.

THIS MONTH, THE UNITED CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION HAS REQUESTED -- FROM QUALIFIED AND LICENSED CONTRACTORS FOR HURRICANE REPAIRS FOR BUILDINGS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS AND OTHER OPEN ANNOUNCEMENTS, AS WELL AS UP-TO-DATE NEWS ON ALL DISASTER HE RECOVERY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY, LOG ON TO WWW.USDIODR.COM.

>>> JOINING ME ON SAID IS, I DON´T WANT TO LEAVE HOME WITHOUT -- DIRECTOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

LET´S WELCOME TO THIS SHOW OUR TOP EXECUTIVE , THE HONORABLE GOVERNOR ALBERT BRYAN JR.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU.

THERE IS A LOT TO SQUEEZE IN THIS SHORT HOUR.

WE ARE GOING TO GET STARTED.

WE KNOW THAT THE HEALTHCARE FOR SERVICES AND ITS TERRITORY HAS REALLY BEEN A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN FOR YEARS.

LONG BEFORE YOU TOOK OFFICE, GOVERNOR.

AND SO, WHEN YOU TOOK ON THIS RESPONSIBILITY, TELL ME, WHAT WAS YOUR VISION FOR HEALTHCARE?

>> I THINK THE PRIMARY THING WAS PEOPLE ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO ACCESS HEALTHCARE.

WE DID A LOT OF THINGS IN THE ONSET TO MAKE SURE, LIKE MAKING SURE THEY HAD NEEDS FOR URGENT CARE CENTERS .

BUT THE REAL VISION IS REALLY TO HAVE A COLLECTIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WHERE WE BRING OUR TWO HOSPITALS ON PAR WITH ANY HOSPITAL IN THE UNITED STATES .

WE CREATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRIVATE SECTORS , CORPORATIONS.

AND THEN WE CREATE AN INTERNAL HEALTHCARE INSURANCE SYSTEM .

WE MADE SURE WE GOT THAT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GETTING HEALTHCARE .

PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND CAN´T BUY INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE.

AND THEN THE NEXT PART OF THAT IS --LIKE THE PROGRAM SAID.

AND THE MAIN PUSH IS GETTING PEOPLE OUT.

GETTING PEOPLE HEALTHY AND ACTIVE IN THE WAY THAT WE LIVE CHANGES SO WE HAVE LESS PEOPLE INTO THE SYSTEM.

>> THAT IS A GREAT INITIATIVE.

>> WE --THE MOST IMPACTFUL SALES INITIATIVE THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN WAS SENT OUT WHEN KENNY HERMAN WAS --AND THAT STUCK IN MY MIND HOW WE CAN CHANGE ENTIRE COMMUNITIES OUTLOOK JUST BY DOING THIS WITH GOVERNMENT WORKERS.

THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AT THE FRIENDS AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> EXCELLENT.

YOU KNOW, THAT VISION, AND YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVING ACCESS TO CANCER PATIENTS OF THE TERRITORY WHO HAVEN´T HAD ACCESS TO ONCOLOGY CARE.

AT THE CHARLOTTE CANCER INSTITUTE, THERE WAS A HURRICANE THAT RAVAGED THROUGH THE FACILITY.

OVER $15 MILLION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CANCER INSTITUTE IN JUNE, AND WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE FUNDS NOW.

KEYWORD BEING ACCESS.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE HOSPITAL IS PROVIDING US AN UPDATE.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> I AM HAPPY TODAY TO REPORT , IN COLLABORATION WITH THE TERRITORIAL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT, HAS SELECTED CONSTRUCTION FOR THE SELECTIVE DEMOLITION OF THE CANCER INSTITUTE.

THIS CONTRACT, WHICH IS SLATED TO LAST APPROXIMATELY 90 DAYS AT A COST OF $888,000, WILL PROCEED WITH THE INTERNAL DEMOLITION UPDATE HURRICANE DAMAGE CHARLOTTE CANCER INSTITUTE.

ONCE THIS PHASE IS COMPLETED, DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, WE WILL ALSO COMMENCE WITH THE IFV TO SELECT A CONTRACTOR WHO WILL REBUILD THE CANCER CENTER AND BRING THIS FACILITY BACK TO FULL FUNCTIONALITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> WHEN YOU GAVE THAT MANDATE THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CHARLOTTE KIMELMAN WAS BACK ONLINE, BECAUSE ALL OF THE OTHER HOSPITALS , HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, REALLY HAD A TEMPORARY SOLUTION.

IT WAS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION .

BUT THERE IS NO TEMPORARY SOLUTION FOR CHARLOTTE KIMELMAN.

YOU KNOW, HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS WHEN YOU MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES LOCALLY FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY CHALLENGED AT THAT TIME?

>> IMAGINE HOW SCARY IT IS , OR SCARY IT WAS DURING COVID , FOR PEOPLE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS .

TRAVELING ON AN AIRPLANE TO THE STATES TO GET MEDICAL CARE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID TOO, NOT ONLY PRIORITIZING THIS, BUT SOME HALF $1 MILLION TO THE --TO HELP FAMILIES THAT ARE PEOPLE SUFFERING WITH CANCER TO GIVE THEM ASSISTANCE, BECAUSE WE HAVE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THAT , OR THE OTHER FOUNDATIONS, THE CANCER INSTITUTE, WE ARE GIVING THE MONEY NOW SO THEY CAN HELP.

>> YES.

AND WHY SO LONG?

THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT ALLOW THE TERRITORY AND PUERTO RICO TO REBUILD BACK TO EMBASSY STANDARDS .

AND TO DATE, WE HAVE ONLY JUST RECEIVED FUNDING FOR CHARLOTTE KIMELMAN POINT WE ACTUALLY DON´T HAVE THE FUNDING RIGHT NOW .

WE TALK ABOUT A TEMPER HE SOLUTION AT JFL NORTH.

IT HAS BEEN YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY PROJECT.

IT HAS ALSO BEEN A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MET WITH SOME CHALLENGES.

>> A LOT OF TIMES IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, FROM A STANDPOINT OF THE CHANGING OF THE WORLD, WE ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, INFLATION, SHORTAGES .

IT HAS BEEN HORRIFIC FOR EVERYONE.

AND THE INCREASE IN SPENDING BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, MORE FUNDS FOR US IS GREAT, BUT IT MEANS MORE --SAME STATE IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME TYPES OF THINGS, WITH RESOURCES FROM ALL OVER.

IT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO GET RESOURCES.

>> THE NORTH FACILITY, WE HAVE WORD THAT THE CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER .

>> OCTOBER 30th.

>> WHAT KIND OF MANDATES HAVE YOU GIVEN ?

PEOPLE ASK, WHAT CAN THE GOVERNOR DO, WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU MET WITH WHEN IT CAME TO JFL NORTH?

>> WE STARTED WITH A BUILDING THAT WAS --AND THEN ALL OF THE THINGS WEREN´T RIGHT.

THAT IS THE KIND OF --YOU GET WHEN YOU SWITCH.

YOU LOSE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

IT TOOK A WHILE TO REALIZE THAT THERE WAS NO FURNISHING, NO EQUIPMENT.

AND EVEN WHEN WE GOT THE BUILDING DONE , WE WERE LIKE 30 TO 90 DAYS, WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT IT TO THE HOSPITAL.

NO ONE HAD TESTED THE SYSTEM TO REALIZE THAT THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WAS NOT --AS WELL AS JFL NORTH.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAD TO BUILD AN ENTIRE NEW BUILDING.

THE AMBULANCE RAMP WAS IN CONVERSATION.

$1 MILLION FOR THAT ALONE.

THE WATER TANK.

I MEAN, IT WAS ONE THING AFTER THE NEXT.

NONE OF US HAD EVER BUILT A HOSPITAL BEFORE.

I THINK THEY ARE ON TRACK NOW.

MAKING IT HAPPEN.

>> YES.

THAT WHOLE IDEA WITH THE HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT SCENE IS REALLY ABOUT CREATING A SYSTEM IN WHICH WE CAN MANAGE OUR HOSPITALS.

YOU CAN SHARE EQUIPMENT THROUGH A PART THAT IS MISSING ON ST. THOMAS OR ST. CROIX.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY SHARE RESOURCES.

MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT OCTOBER 30th.

AND THEN ANOTHER SEVERAL DAYS, TESTING, TO BE ABLE TO MOVE INTO THE HOSPITAL.

YOU ANTICIPATE THAT WE WILL MOVE IN THE HOSPITAL THIS YEAR.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, LIKE I SAID, WE ARE AT THE POINT NOW WHERE THE MAIN STRUCTURE IS BECOMING SO COMPROMISED.

THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE EVERY DAY ARE THE PEOPLE THAT COME IN FOR CARE.

I HAVE TAKEN A FRIEND OF MINE TO THE HOSPITAL --PORTABLE BATHROOM.

THAT IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION.

YOU ARE NOT FEELING YOUR BEST, THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO GO THROUGH.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET PEOPLE IN THERE .

THERE IS NO COMPROMISING PEOPLE´S SAFETY.

RIGHT?

WE HAVE TO MOVE THEM INTO THE BUILDING, AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE DO THAT THAT EVERYBODY IS SECURE, EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS -- >> A FIGHT FOR SCHNEIDER WITH FEMA.

WHAT KIND OF INFLUENCES DID YOU EXERT IN ORDER FOR US TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE DO HAVE A REPLACEMENT?

THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER?

>> WE ARE DEALING WITH TWO PRESIDENTIAL OFFICES OF ADMINISTRATION.

WE STARTED OUT IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

WE ENDED UP IN THE BIDEN.

VERY DIFFERENT MESSAGES FROM ONE ADMINISTRATION TO THE NEXT.

WHEN WE HAD THAT SUMMIT AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE , THE PARTICIPATION OF THE DELEGATES, WE HAD A FEMA ADMINISTRATOR.

AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT WAS -- THAT WAS , TO ME, THAT WAS THE LINCHPIN THAT REALLY MADE THINGS STARTING TO GO.

WE STARTED TO GET MOVEMENT.

BUT WE STILL GOT A LOT OF 428 PROJECTS TO GET DONE.

AND THAT IS TOUGH.

WE WANT TO GET THE MAXIMUM WE CAN GET AS A GOVERNMENT AT FEMA, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS FAIR AND THAT IT IS EQUITABLE AND THEY DO THEIR JOB AS WELL TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS CONVERSATION WITH FEMA ON WHETHER OR NOT THE COSTING FOR THAT, AND THAT HAS REALLY BEEN HOLDING US UP IN GETTING OUR FUNDING.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE ONLY HOSPITAL , PERMANENT REPAIR FUNDING THAT WE HAVE IS FOR CHARLOTTE KIMELMAN.

WE DON´T HAVE ANY FUNDS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE FUNDS THAT WE ARE NOT SPENDING.

>> THE BELIEF THAT WE HAVE A -- $11 BILLION .

IT IS STILL A PROCESS.

YOU KNOW THE BIPARTISAN BUDGET ACT IS A BLESSING AND A CURSE.

IT IS A BLESSING BECAUSE YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY REBUILD EVERYTHING.

BUT IT IS A CURSE BECAUSE -- THE RECOVERY AND THE HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE TRY TO GET THE MAXIMUM DOLLARS BECAUSE WHEN IS THE NEXT TIME WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REBUILD FOUR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS?

THAT IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

THAT MONEY IS ESSENTIALLY FREE WITH 10%.

SO THIS IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.

I MEAN, RENAISSANCE, GAME CHANGING.

IT IS NOT RECOVERY .

IT IS TRANSFORMATION.

>> THAT IS THE WORD.

TRANSFORMATION POINT WE ALSO GOT AN UPDATE ON THE DEFERMENT OF HEALTH ON THEIR PROJECTS.

IT IS A DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CHARLES HOWARD MEDICAL COMPLEX.

WE SPOKE TO STEVE JACKSON.

HE IS A PRINCIPAL WHO GAVE US SOME DETAILS.

>> WE HAVE BROKEN THIS INTO TWO DIFFERENT PHASES.

THE FIRST IS DEMOLITION.

THE DEMOLITION DRAWINGS HAVE BEEN COMPLETE.

THEY HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR A BID.

LAMAR TECH HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A CONTRACTOR.

WE ARE IN NEGOTIATION OF THAT CONTRACT AND THE FINALIZATION OF IT FOR $1.7 MILLION FOR THAT DEMOLITION.

THE SECOND PART OF THE PROJECT IS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE REPLACEMENT FACILITY.

WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR 60% DRAWINGS FOR THAT PORTION OF THE WORK AND WE MOVED INTO 90%.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE DESIGN THE EXTERIOR.

WE HAVE DESIGNED THE ROOMS.

WE HAVE DESIGNED THE LAYOUT WITHIN THE ROOMS.

WE ARE WORKING ON THE DETAILS OF THE ENCLOSURE OF THOSE ROOMS, THOSE FINAL CONSTRUCTION DETAILS, TO MAKE SURE THE HURRICANE HARDENED AND RESILIENT.

>> WELL, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS ALSO MANAGING OTHER RECOVERY PROJECTS.

AND CHARLES HOWARD IS REALLY UNDERWAY.

WE ARE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THEY AREN´T ONLY DOING THAT, THEY ARE DOING THE BUILDINGS.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER PROJECTS THAT --786 PROJECTS AND SOME MAJOR ONES ON THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROVIDED FUNDING FOR BUILDINGS AND ST. CROIX AND ST. THOMAS.

COMMISSIONER RUBEN THE ROY HAS MORE DETAILS HE WILL SHARE WITH US.

>> THE FIRST ONE IS OUR WICK PROJECT.

IT STANDS FOR WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN.

THAT IS A PROBLEM PROJECT ON ST. THOMAS.

IT WAS AWARDED TO J BENSON.

IT IS $3.57 MILLION PROJECT .

WE RECEIVED THE NOTICE LAST MONTH, SEPTEMBER, THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

ON THAT PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO LAST FOR ONE YEAR AND TO BE COMPLETED AUGUST, 2023.

THE SECOND PROJECT IS THE WIC PROJECT INSTEAD BUILDING INNOVATION PROJECT.

WE ARE AWAITING THE NOTICE.

THAT PROJECT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO HEIGHTS CONSTRUCTION AND IS SCHEDULED TO LAST THREE MONTHS AT A COST OF $714,000.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU TALKED ABOUT , IT IS NOT JUST THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT IS COMING INTO THE TERRITORY.

ACTUALLY WHAT THOSE DOLLARS ARE DESIGNED TO DO.

AND THOSE WIC BUILDINGS ARE NOT ONLY BUILDINGS, BUT WE ARE PROVIDING TO SUPPORT TO WOMEN, CHILDREN AND INFANTS.

>> I WAS STUCK AT 267.

400 PROJECTS NOW IN PROGRESS.

THAT IS AMAZING.

THE IMPACT ON WOMEN, INFANT AND THAT IS SERIOUS.

CARIBBEAN WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS BEEN POWERFUL.

WE EMPOWER THEM TO GET A LITTLE MORE RESOURCES WITH WIC.

IT IS JUST TRANSFORMING WHAT COULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN .

YOU CERTAINLY SEE HERE THEM OUTNUMBERED.

>> I´M JUST THINKING, WHO IS THE BENEFICIARY OF WIC?

BUT YES.

I LOVE IT.

>> YOU KNOW THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS ONE OF THE PILOT PROGRAMS?

I THINK IT IS A 1974 OR ´72 THAT THEY ACTUALLY STARTED THE PILOT FOR WIC POINT HAVE YOU EVER SEEN -- >> IT HAS BEEN AROUND.

IT HAS BEEN A WILD.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT, I LEARNED FIRSTHAND WHILE TAKING CARE OF BOTH OF MY PARENTS AS THEY AGE , THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING LONG-TERM CARE FOR ELDERLY POPULATION.

FEMA HAS MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS PROJECTS THIS YEAR.

AND --THANKFULLY MADE THE LIST .

AND IT WAS AWARDED $65.7 MILLION IN SEPTEMBER.

YOU KNOW, GETTING THAT FUNDING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT YOU CAN TELL A LOT ABOUT THE COUNTRY BY THE WAY THEY TREAT THEIR ELDERLY AND THEIR YOUNG.

>> THAT IS A 60 OR 80-BED UNIT AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> YES POINT >> THE LARGEST PART OF THE POPULATION IS THE ELDERLY.

AS OUR PARENTS AGE, MORE AND MORE SERVICES ARE NEEDED.

I CAN´T TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING OUT, JUST SAYING THEY NEED HOMES HERE.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM IN THE HOSPITAL WITH PEOPLE ESSENTIALLY ABANDONING THEIR PARENTS AT THE HOSPITAL.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

WE DON´T HAVE AVAILABLE BEDS THAT WE CAN TRANSFER THEM INTO FACILITIES.

THE KEY TO THIS IS GETTING SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES SO , MEDICARE WITH THE BILL.

SO WE WILL HAVE A SUBSIDY IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

IT´S LIKE AN 80- 90-BED THING, WE DON´T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE NOW TO MAN THE QUEEN LOUISE HOME HOSPITAL AND THE OTHER HEALTHCARE AGENCIES WE HAVE BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

WHERE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO COME FROM?

WE CAN´T BITE OFF MORE THAN WE CAN CHEW, BUT AGING AND HOUSING FOR THE AGING IS A BIG ISSUE IN THIS NEXT DECADE.

WE ARE DOING THE THINGS NOW THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE QUEEN LOUISE HOME ACTUALLY RECEIVED AN OBLIGATION FOR TEMPORARY FUNDING.

YOU CAN´T FIX A BUILDING WHILE IT IS BEING OCCUPIED.

SO THE DESIGN IS CURRENTLY BEING DONE FOR THE FACILITY.

ALSO, SIMULTANEOUSLY, YOU KNOW, I TELL THE STAFF ALL THE TIME, WE DON´T WAIT.

YOU CAN´T WAIT AND TRANSFORM.

SO, THEY ARE DESIGNING THE ALSO DESIGNING A PERMANENT FACILITY .

AND ALSO, WE ARE STILL CONTINUING TO WORK WITH FEMA .

ST. CROIX WILL NOT BE LEFT BEHIND.

ALSO, ACTUALLY ST. JOHN LEFT THE GATE REALLY EARLY WITH THE SENIOR CENTER AT ONE OF THEIR COMPLETED PROJECTS.

WE WERE EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT SEEING IT.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN THERE.

>> I LOVE THE THINGS THAT IS HAPPENING OUT AT ST. JOHN.

>> UP AT THE ADRIENNE CENTER, I WAS THERE THE OTHER DAY.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND I WAS UP THERE.

BUT THEY NOT ONLY HAVE THEIR ACTIVITIES ALL DAY LONG .

AND THEY HAVE ARTS AND CRAFTS .

IT WAS NICE TO VISIT WITH THEM UP THERE AT THE CENTER.

OTHER SENIOR CENTERS COMING ALONG AS WELL.

ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT WE RUN IS ABOUT GETTING SENIORS MORE ACTIVE.

-- FOR 2 1/2 YEARS, TWO YEARS, THEY COULDN´T GO OUT.

NOW WE ARE TRYING TO GET THEM INTO SAFE SPACES.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU HEARD IT HERE, THE GOVERNOR IS COOKING CHICKEN AND RICE.

AND THAT DAY, YOU DON´T HAVE TO BE AN ELDER TO GO.

JUST GET IN LINE FOR THE GOVERNORS TICKET AND RICE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE GOING TO JUMP RIGHT INTO THE VERY FIRST NEW SCHOOL ON ITS WAY, GOVERNOR.

>> COMING FULL SPEED AHEAD.

I CAN´T WAIT.

PEOPLE ASK THE COMMISSIONER -- YOU NEED TO PUT THAT VIRTUAL WALK.

ALWAYS SHOWING IT OFF TO PEOPLE.

LOOK.

THIS PLACE LOOKS LIKE A FIRST- CLASS -- STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE INSPIRED TO LEARN THERE.

>> YES.

>> IT REALLY IS POINT WE SAW ON SOME OF OUR SHOWS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> IF YOU HAVEN´T SEEN THAT EPISODE, GO BACK AND LOOK.

IT´S REALLY GREAT.

>> WE ARE HAVING THE 31st SCHOOL .

YOU KNOW, JUST TO GIVE THE VIEWING AUDIENCE HOW LONG IT ACTUALLY TAKES, YOU KNOW, THOSE FUNDS ARE OBLIGATED, FIRST DOLLARS THAT CAME INTO THE TERRITORY CAME IN FOR A REBUILD OF A NEW SCHOOL IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.

AND WHAT WE DID, WE MADE SURE THAT WE STARTED WORKING AND RUNNING.

IT IS LIKE A RELAY.

WE HAVE THE DESIGN .

IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON.

WE ARE ALSO HOPING FOR A DEMOLITION.

YOU CAN´T SEE THE OLD FACILITY.

IT IS GOING TO BE REPLACED WITH THE STATE-OF-THE-ART NEW SCHOOL.

AND WE HAVE NOT HAD A NEW SCHOOL ON ST. CROIX SINCE THE ST. CROIX EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX.

A LONG TIME AGO.

>> 37, NO, 27 YEARS.

>> YES.

WE ACTUALLY HAD SEVERAL DECADES AGO, AND YOU HAVE SEVERAL MANY GRADUATING CLASSES .

YOU HAD A NEW SCHOOL.

>> THIS SCHOOL WILL BE ENERGY- EFFICIENT.

WILL BILL BE DESIGNED TO --IT IS GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL.

I REALLY CAN´T WAIT TO SEE THAT POINT >> WE ARE VERY EXCITED.

DR. HENDERSON, COMMISSIONER -- DESIGNEE.

SHE IS COMPLETELY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW SCHOOL AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE CHILDREN ON ST. CROIX.

BUT ST. THOMAS WILL NOT BE LEFT UNDONE.

THE CHARLOTTE AND MOLLY HIGH SCHOOL -- >> EVERY TIME I GO AWAY, I LOOKED TO SEE WHERE WE ARE WITH A DEMOLITION.

YOU KNOW, USED TO WALK IN THOSE HALLS AND STUFF AND SEE IT ALL BEING TORN DOWN.

BUT THE NEW SCHOOL, ONCE AGAIN, LOOKS FANTASTIC.

WHEN WE DID THE ANNEX, I THINK THAT WAS LAST YEAR.

WE OPENED UP THE ANNEX, AND YOU COULD GET A CLOSE LOOK INTO THE FUTURE OF WHAT THE SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

AND I CANNOT WAIT .

THE ROAD IS GOING TO TURN AROUND POINT WE ARE ACTUALLY TALKING RIGHT NOW ABOUT REDEVELOPMENT ON ALL THAT PROPERTY AROUND THERE BECAUSE THERE´S SO MANY DIFFERENT FACILITIES GOING IN.

THE TRAFFIC FLOWS AND BECOMES AN ISSUE FROM RACCOON HILL AND THE OTHER WAY UP THE HILL.

HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF THAT PLACE BETWEEN 7:00 AND 8:00 AND 3:00 AND 5:00 AND 5:00 AND 7:00 ?

BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL IS GOING THERE.

THE SKILLED NURSING CENTERS, THE BUILDINGS, THE NEW SCHOOL.

WE HAVE A PRE-K THROUGH EIGHT.

THERE ARE OTHER DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL.

LOTS OF ACTIVITY IN THAT ONE CIRCLE.

>> YES.

A LOT GOING ON OVER THERE.

>> I LOVE THE FORWARD THINKING ON THAT.

TOO MANY TIMES THINGS GO OFF AND DOESN´T GET DONE.

I LOVE IT.

>> THE LAST GOES INTO ALL THE PLANNING AND COLLABORATION .

I CALL THEM RECOVERY LEADERS, THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE DEPARTMENT OF ALL THE QUIRKS, COMMISSIONER GABRIEL, GENERAL McLEAN.

BUT ALL OF THE UTILITIES, EVERYTHING THAT REALLY MAKES THE RECOVERY MOVE.

IN AUGUST, WE VISITED CHARLOTTE MOLLY HIGH SCHOOL TO FIND OUT WHAT THE STUDENTS THOUGHT ABOUT THE NEW ANNEX.

AND WE GOT SOME REALLY, REALLY, REALLY INTERESTING COMMENTS.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> I THINK IT IS VERY GOOD.

I REALLY LIKE IT.

IN MY LAST YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL , I EXPERIENCED THAT CLASS.

I LIKE HOW THE CHAIR WAS.

I LIKED THE SEATS.

IT´S GOOD.

>> THE NEW ADDITION ANNEX IS REALLY, REALLY GOOD PLACE BECAUSE IT´S MORE COMFORTABLE, IN MY OPINION, THAN THE CLASSROOM WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS EASIER FOR THE TEACHERS TO BE LOOKING AT THE STUDENT AND THEM PAYING ATTENTION.

>> I ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT THEY ARE, LIKE, REALLY SPACIOUS AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

>> WELL, I WAS AT THAT OPENING FOR THE ANNEX.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I WAS EXCITED TOO BECAUSE I WAS LIKE, WHY CAN´T WE JUST BUILD THEM ALL RIGHT NOW?

I WAS ALSO REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE BUILDING A NEW SCHOOL CENTER TOO.

SO SEEING THOSE CLASSROOMS FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE CAN WALK BY.

YOU CAN WALK AND SEE THE CONSIDERABLE.

YOU CAN MAKE THEM BIGGER BY THE BLINDS.

THEY ARE SO VERSATILE.

>> OH, YEAH.

I WAS LIKE, WOW.

THIS IS THE FUTURE.

WE GOT A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE FUTURE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

SOME OF THESE SPACES THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 27 STUDENTS FOR A TOTAL OF 459 NINTH GRADERS .

HUGE, HUGE, HUGE IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION IN THE TERRITORY.

AND DID SOME WORK ON -- ST. CROIX.

WE DIDN´T JUST SIT AND WAIT IDLING BY , BECAUSE SCHOOL HAD TO BE IN SESSION.

AND WE HAD TO UTILIZE SOME OF OUR OWN RESOURCES TO KEEP THE SCHOOLS TOGETHER.

SO WE ALSO REPLACED THAT BUILDING .

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, MAINTAINING A 60-YEAR BUILDING IS LIKE NONSTOP WORK.

EDUCATION HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF DOING THAT.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER, AND ACTUALLY GOING OUT THERE AND CUTTING THE RIBBON, IT LOOKS REALLY NICE.

THAT WAS REWARDING AS WELL TOO.

THEY ARE DOING REALLY WELL.

PRINCIPAL OVER THERE.

THEIR LIBRARIAN IS ALWAYS ON ME FOR MORE RESOURCES.

YOU LIVE IN THAT AREA, I KNOW YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS SCHOOL.

>> YOU CAN´T FORGET WHAT HAS BEEN DONE THOUGH.

WE ARE WAITING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO BE OBLIGATED FOR SCHOOLS AND OTHER RECOVERY PROJECTS TO IMPROVE OUR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES .

AND SOME OF THOSE PRIORITIES -- THOSE SCHOOLS WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY MONEY FOR.

HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS ALREADY WORKING ON THE DESIGN SO ONCE THE FUNDING HITS, WE CAN START OFF RUNNING.

IS THAT FRUSTRATING?

TELL ME POINT >> GUESS WHAT?

WE HAD A MEETING TO REVIEW THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AGREEMENT THAT WOULD GIVE US THE LAND TO BUILD THE SCHOOL.

IT IS A --IT IS GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO REALITY .

BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, WE WILL HAVE THOSE FOUR ACRES TURNED OVER TO US TO BUILD PRE-K THROUGH 12.

>> THIS IS HUGE.

>> IT IS HUGE.

READING THAT, I ACTUALLY GOT GOOSEBUMPS.

IT´S LIKE, IT´S REALLY HAPPENING.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS THING IS BACK AS 2007 POINT I WAS IN THE CONVERSATION BACK THEN POINT I KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT BEFORE THEN.

BUT NOW WE NOT ONLY HAVE THE NEW PROPERTY, BUT WE ARE GETTING THE RESOURCES, THE MONEY TO ACTUALLY BUILD THE SCHOOL.

NOW WE NEED TO DECIDE WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH ALL THE PROPERTY IN TOWN.

>> THOSE ARE GOOD PROBLEMS TO HAVE, RIGHT?

SO YOU ARE NOT ONLY TALKING ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS, BUT OUR PRESCHOOLS AND HEAD STARTS RECEIVED $42 MILLION .

THAT IS JUST TREMENDOUS.

>> SO, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.

I KEEP -- I UNDERSTAND IS DOING AN $8 MILLION HEADSTART PROJECT .

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE LIKE FOUR HEADSTART S IN THERE.

AN INDOOR PLAYGROUND.

>> THE 42 MILLION IS ACTUALLY TO REDO ALL OF THE EXISTING HEADSTARTS.

>> THIS IS NEW MONEY.

>> THIS IS NEW MONEY.

YOU HAVE HEADSTARTS AT THE CONCORDE YARD , ST. CROIX , HOW MANY , ST. THOMAS.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THIS , THE FACILITIES, EXISTING FACILITIES, HAVE A FACELIFT FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT .

>> I REMEMBER WORKING ON THAT.

WE GOT TO GET THIS MONEY SPENT BEFORE THE TIME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT THOUGH, WHEN YOU START TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE, SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ARE REAL.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WHAT IS STOPPING OUR DAY TODAY ON ANY PARTICULAR PROJECT.

YOU HAVE AN ELBOW, ELBOWS YOU WOULD THINK ARE A DIME A DOZEN, BUT MADE WITH SPECIAL MATERIAL.

IT WILL HOLD UP A $50 MILLION PROJECT BECAUSE YOU CAN´T GET ENOUGH ELBOWS.

>> LOOK AT A SIMPLE THING LIKE --WE ARE WORKING ON IN DOWNTOWN.

THE PRICE OF STEEL KEPT MOVING WHILE WE WERE NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT AND EVERYTHING .

WHEN WE FINALLY GOT EVERYTHING GOING AND STUFF, A HURRICANE TOTALLY DELAYED SHIPPING AGAIN.

SO THERE IS NOT ALWAYS --JUST HAPPENING ALL OVER.

LOTS OF STUFF GETS US CAUGHT UP IN THIS WHIRLWIND OF WHATEVER´S GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY AT THE TIME.

>> WE EXPERIENCED THAT TOO WITH OUR BUILDING WHEN WE TRIED TO CREATE HOUSING WITH COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES.

WE STARTED WITH STEEL.

IT WAS STILL --NOW WE HAVE TO MOVE BACK AND RESTART TOTALLY.

>> CHARGED WITH HOUSING AND INCREASING OUR HOUSING STOCK AND THE VIRGIN ISLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS BEEN ANSWERING THAT CALL.

>> TAKE THIS MINUTE TO TELL THE AUDIENCE AND THE GOVERNOR AS WELL THAT WE JUST ISSUED EARLIER LAST WEEK, I BELIEVE, A NOTICE OF FUNDING OF AVAILABILITY WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO BRING HOMES WITH THAT $6.2 MILLION IN THE PINEAPPLE AREA.

IT´S MORE DEVELOPERS.

IT IS MORE NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY TO COME.

WE WILL BE ISSUING MORE AND MORE OF THOSE .

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP.

>> WE ARE DOING STUFF AROUND HOMEOWNERSHIP AS WELL, TOO.

LAST WEEK, WE ISSUED SOME $20 MILLION IN FINANCING FOR MODERATE INCOME HOMEBUYERS .

GRANTING PEOPLE $100,000 TO FIX THEIR WHATEVER IT IS THEY NEED.

GO TO THE BANK, TALK TO THE BANK ABOUT YOUR PROJECT, AND THEY WILL CONTACT THE --I AM EXCITED ABOUT THAT AS WELL TOO.

HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CREATING HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSING.

WE NEED MORE TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, RECOVERY SPECIALISTS, THOSE KIND OF PEOPLE.

BUT THEY NEED PLACES TO LIVE.

THIS PROGRAM, WE SWITCH OF THE NOW .

YOU ONLY HAVE TO BE LIVING HERE THREE YEARS OR HAVE LIVED HERE 10 YEARS OR WERE BORN IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR YOU TO QUALIFY.

THE INCOME LIMIT IS UP TO $260,000 YOU CAN MAKE IT A HOUSEHOLD.

242 IN ST. THOMAS.

218 IN ST. CROIX.

THAT IS A GENEROUS PROGRAM.

>> WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT YOU SIGN UP FOR THE HOMEBUYER EDUCATION COURSE.

YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO START?

YOU SIGN UP AND LEARN ABOUT THIS PROCESS BECAUSE WE TELL PEOPLE, IT IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST PURCHASE YOU ARE EVER GOING TO MAKE IN YOUR LIFETIME .

YOU HAVE GOT TO GET EDUCATED ABOUT IT.

SO YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TO THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY AND ENROLL IN A HOMEBUYER EDUCATION COURSE.

FOR THIS OTHER PROGRAM, THE MODERATE INCOME PROGRAM WITH THE GOVERNOR, YOU CAN GO STRAIGHT TO THE BANK.

YOU KNOW, THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY HAS VARIOUS PROJECTS AS WELL .

>> VERY BEAUTIFUL PROPERTIES OVER THERE.

GREAT EXAMPLE .

>> WHERE I WANT TO LIVE.

>> THAT IS COMPLETED.

SO WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

IT IS FULLY OCCUPIED.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

WE ARE DOING A LOT OF WORK OVER THERE, SOME RETROFITTING NEW WINDOWS , MAKING THE SPACE MORE BEAUTIFUL.

YOU KNOW?

AGAIN, WILD PINEAPPLE, NOTICE THE AVAILABILITY THERE .

DEVELOPERS, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE .

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU BID ON SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS.

AND OF COURSE, WE ARE ALWAYS WORKING WITH ENVISION.

YESTERDAY, I GOT A CALL, WE COMPLETED ANOTHER HOME.

THANK GOD I HAVE ANOTHER 11 LEFT IN THE PERCENTILE TO BE COMPLETED.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE OF THAT COMING UP.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> ENVISIONED TOMORROW.

YOUR PHONE HAS TO BE RINGING A WHOLE LOT.

BUT I KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE THAT YOU ARE PUSHING ON, 100 HOMES IN YOUR CONTRACT FOR 200 HOMES.

EXPECT TO SEE A WHOLE LOT MORE HAPPENING A WHOLE LOT FASTER IN THE UPCOMING WEEKS.

>> OH, YEAH POINT >> I THINK PEOPLE, A LOT OF TIMES, PEOPLE LOOK AT THE ADMINISTRATION AND WHAT IS GOING ON.

WHEN YOU GET HIGH ENOUGH TO LOOK AT THE FOREST, WHAT IS IT THEY ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

THEY´RE TRYING TO MAKE LIVING IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MORE AFFORDABLE .

WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE STRONGER FAMILIES.

HOW DO WE DO THAT?

AT A VERY YOUNG AGE, I BUILT MY HOUSE ON A MANAGEABLE MORTGAGE.

THAT WAS LIKE A CATALYST OF SO MUCH ENERGY AND HEALTHCARE, SCHOOLS.

NOT HAVING TO PAY THE PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION.

ALL THINGS WE ARE DOING TO MAKE SURE KIDS CAN AFFORD TO WORK .

>> YOU CAN´T TALK ABOUT AFFORDING OUR WORK IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS UNLESS YOU TALK ABOUT POWER.

AND THAT IS ALSO ONE OF YOUR PRIORITIES.

I THINK YOU SAY YOU WANT TO KEEP IT ON AND KEEP IT -- >> CHEAP .

>> TELL US ABOUT, IN YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF POWER AND ENERGY IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POINT >> I THINK WE HAVE TO START TO THINK ABOUT TRANSITIONING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

PERSONALLY AND ISLANDWIDE OR TERRITORY WIDE .

THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF GREAT PROGRAMS WITH WIND AND SOLAR.

CONVERTING FROM FOSSIL FUELS INTO RENEWABLE ONES.

WHAT DOES THAT DO?

THAT CREATES MORE MONEY ON THE CREATES GOOD ECONOMY.

WE PURCHASE A BETTER --TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO MOVE TOWARD USING SOLAR.

A $25 MILLION PROGRAM.

MAKE THE PEOPLE MORE ENERGY AND ITS PENDANT .

>> I HAVE SEVERAL PROJECTS FOR COMING.

TELL US ABOUT ONE OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS THAT IS BEING FUNDED BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY FOR THE -- TAKE A LISTEN.

>> THIS PROJECT IS A $95 MILLION PROJECT, FUNDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

IT WAS THROUGH THE INSTALLATION OF 49 MEGAWATTS RECIPROCATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES AND NINE MEGAWATTS 18 MEGAWATT HOURS OF BATTER Y ENERGY STORAGE.

RELIABLE AND EFFICIENT AND ALSO RESILIENT BECAUSE THE BUILDINGS ARE DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND HURRICANES.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE ALREADY ACCEPTED DELIVERY OF THE ENGINES AND THE TERRITORIES.

THE BATTERIES HAVE ALSO ARRIVED FOR THE TERRITORIES, AS WELL IS THE TRANSFORMER THAT WILL BE UTILIZED TO CONNECT THOSE UNITS THROUGH THE GRID.

THE PROJECT IS ON SCHEDULE FOR A QUARTER ONE, 2023 DELIVERY .

AND CONSTRUCTION WORK IN PROGRESS IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.

WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING THIS NEW, RELIABLE, EFFICIENT AND RESILIENT POWER GENERATION CAPACITY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> FIRST QUARTER, 2023 .

IT CAN´T COME FAST ENOUGH.

WE ARE LOOKING AT --YOU KNOW, I HEAR , BECAUSE I AM A LITTLE NOSY, THAT WE MIGHT GET THE FIRST FIRE OF THE ENGINE IN JANUARY.

AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MAKE SURE IT IS --BY MARCH, 2023.

I KNOW YOU ARE KEEPING --I AM NOT GOING TO STEP FOOT ON THE NECK.

I AM GOING TO SAY, KEEPING THE FEET TO THE FIRE ABOUT MAKING SURE THE PROJECT COMES ON.

IT IS REALLY ABOUT RELIABILITY, ALSO.

>> THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY .

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

WE ARE SHELLING OUT TWO TO $4 MILLION A MONTH TO MAKE SURE -- THAT IS EXPENSIVE.

THAT IS 2 TO 4 MILLION THAT WE ARE NOT PUTTING INTO ROADS AND OTHER THINGS.

>> WE CAN TRANSFER IT TO SOMEWHERE ELSE POINT WE ARE ALSO DOING UNDERGROUND POINT WE JUST HAD FIONA PASS BY.

AND WE ARE STARTING TO GET THESE UNDERGROUND PROJECTS ON ST. CROIX COMPLETED.

GOLDEN GROVE, MIDLAND.

95% COMPLETED.

SO WE ARE UNDER GROUNDING THE POWERS SO WHEN THE STORMS COME, WE GET THE POWER BACK ON REALLY QUICKLY.

WE LOVE IT.

>> WE DON´T LIKE GENERATORS.

BAILING WATER OUT OF -- >> ALSO, WORKING ON A WATER PROJECT.

ACTUALLY, TO REPLACE SOME OF THOSE COPPER LINES THAT ARE THERE WITH BROWN WATER.

YOU ARE FINDING THAT AS WELL POINT >> WE ARE FUNDING A LOT OF THESE PROJECT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I´M SUPER EXCITED THAT I HAVE MR. THOMAS ON MY TEAM AS WELL.

IT IS SO NECESSARY.

>> WE ALSO HAVE $80 MILLION OF WATER EXPANSION PROJECTS .

THEY ARE UNDER THE ARPA.

OTHER PLACES THAT DON´T HAVE WATER NOW.

SO IT IS GREAT.

ONCE AGAIN, A ONCE-IN-A- LIFETIME CHANCE TO REALLY EXPAND BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE AFFORDABLE WATER, YOU DON´T NEED ASSISTANCE.

>> YOU CAN HAVE A SMALL ONE IF YOU WANT ONE.

BUT YOU DON´T HAVE TO HAVE ONE.

THAT IS A CRITICAL POINT.

ALONG WITH SAFE AND RESILIENT HOUSING, BETTER HEALTHCARE, RESILIENT POWER SOURCES, WE NEED --ROADS.

DPW HAS BEEN TACKLING ROADS IN BOTH DISTRICTS.

WE HAVE BEEN PAVING .

I´M DOING THAT ON PURPOSE.

>> IT´S A LOT.

>> IS THAT ONE OF YOUR PRIORITIES?

>> YOU´RE WELCOME.

>> LOOK INTO THE CAMERA AND SAY -- >> YOU KNOW WHAT IS FUNNY NOW?

IT´S LIKE ACTUALLY CHASING A TAIL, BECAUSE AS FAST AS WE PAVE ROADS, ROADS ARE BECOMING DETERIORATED.

LIKE IN ST. CROIX , THAT ROAD USED TO BE ONE OF THE BEST .

WE GOT TO GET -- ON THOSE .

>> IN ADDITION TO THE PRIORITY --OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ARE ALREADY IN MOTION ON LIBRARIES .

VERY IMPORTANT PART.

ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE THINK THEY DON´T HAVE A USE FOR IT ANYMORE.

BUT LIBRARIES ARE AN IMPORTANT ASPECT TO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES.

IN THE DEFERMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES HAS OVER $19 MILLION TO RESTORE LIBRARIES.

>> THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

YOU KNOW WHAT IS FUNNY ABOUT THAT?

MISS ROGERS SEVENTH GRADE CLASS SPOKE TO ME ABOUT ALL THE -- THAT THEY HAVE.

I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW MANY KIDS SAID LIBRARIES, THAT WE DON´T HAVE FOLKS IN OUR LIBRARIES.

ONE THING WE ARE DOING IS THEY HAVE AN ELECTRONIC LIBRARY NOW.

I WANT TO CONNECT EDUCATION.

SO IT MAKES SENSE, RIGHT?

IF YOU GET A LIBRARY CARD, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR IN SCHOOL AND GET A BOOK WITH IT.

YOU DON´T EVEN NEED TO GO ANYMORE.

YOU COULD JUST ACCESS IT ONLINE.

>> THAT IS GOING TO HELP MY DEBATE.

I HAVE BEEN DEBATING WITH FOLKS.

WE STILL NEED LIBRARIES.

>> WE NEED LIBRARIES.

>> DON´T DEBATE ME.

THE LIBRARY IS ACTUALLY OUT TO BID.

IT IS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

IT IS GOING TO GET INTO CONSTRUCTION NEXT YEAR .

AND TERNOPIL LIBRARY IS ALSO OUT FOR BID.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR THIS MONTH, THE COMPLETION OF THE LIBRARY ON ST. JOHN.

>> THAT WILL BE GREAT.

WE ARE GOING TO GIVE OUT SOME ELECTRONIC READERS AS WELL .

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING POINT I HAD THE PLEASURE TO GO IN THERE MYSELF AND LOOK AT --THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE, BUT IT DEFINITELY NEEDED --WE ARE GOING TO GET THAT ROAD PAVED.

NO MATTER WHAT I DO, WE ARE GOING TO GET IT ROAD PAVED SO YOU HAVE A NICE SMOOTH ROAD >> THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PROMISING THE CHICKEN AND RICE AND THE SENIOR CENTER.

NOW HE IS PAVING ALL THE ROADS.

IF HE DOESN´T DO ANYTHING ELSE, HE IS PAVING THE ROAD TO THE LIBRARIES.

THIS IS WHERE WE GOT TO GO, WE GOT TO GO TO ST. JOHN.

LEADING THE PACK OF MULTIPLE PACKS OF CONSTRUCTION , THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, PARK AND RECREATION.

TRYING TO GET OUR PARKS IN ST. CROIX.

GROVE PARK .

CRUZ OVER THERE IN PROCESS , AND ALSO HENDERSON .

OF COURSE, THE EXCELLENT WORK THAT WAS DONE .

>> -- FAMOUS COMMISSIONER.

>> STARTED PAVING ROADS.

WE NEED THE PARKS TO COME BACK .

IT IS ALL PART OF OUR HEALTHIER HORIZONS TO GET PEOPLE OUTSIDE AND GETTING THEM ACCESS.

YOU KNOW IT IS TRIPPING ME OUT?

HOW MUCH PEOPLE ARE STARVING FOR THINGS TO DO.

YOU COULD HAVE A PARTY.

100 PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SHOW UP.

THE FRENCH OF DAY, THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE I TALK ABOUT THAT, PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR GOOD, HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE THINGS TO DO WITH HER FAMILY.

AND THE BALLPARKS ARE ONE OF THOSE PLACES WHERE YOU CAN GO.

>> WE CAN´T KEEP THE RECOVERY BALL WITHOUT THE HANDS THAT DRIVE THE INITIATIVE.

LET´S TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT KEEP OUR PEOPLE IN THE GAME.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO YOU.

YOU WERE THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR.

YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THAT.

IT IS ALSO YOUR BRAINCHILD.

YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS IN THE WHOLE CONCEPT, IN YOUR MIND, TO HAVE A FELLOWS PROGRAM LIKE THAT?

>> EVERYBODY --YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE , YOU DON´T KNOW ANYTHING.

YOU DON´T HAVE A SPECIFIC SKILL.

AND PEOPLE TRY --YOU TRY TO GET A JOB ON THE OTHER SIDE .

YOU DON´T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE.

HOW AM I GOING TO GET EXPERIENCE?

THIS IS A PROGRAM WHERE WE TAKE THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST OF VIRGIN ISLANDS, EXPOSE THEM TO TOP-NOTCH PEOPLE , NOT ONLY DIRECTED BY YOUR COMMISSIONER, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE A -- TO LEARN HOW TO NETWORK.

IT IS AMAZING HOW YOU CAN SEE THE CONFIDENCE LEVEL RISE .

LIKE THE FIRST YEAR, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE NERVOUS ABOUT --NOW I SEE THEM IN THE AIRPORT AND I AM LIKE, WHERE YOU GOING?

I´M GOING ON A PROJECT.

VERY SOPHISTICATED.

THEY ARE DOING GOOD QUALITY WORK.

AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO HIRE THEM.

>> WE ARE IN COMPETITION.

WE ARE IN COMPETITION.

THERE IS TALENT.

AND WE START DIVING FORWARD.

OUR OFFICE, GOVERNOR, WORKS CLOSELY WITH NONPROFITS.

YOU RECENTLY PUT A CALL OUT TO A COMMUNITY PARTNER.

TELL US ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS FOR THE NONPROFITS TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR FEDERAL RECOVERY FUNDING.

>> I BELIEVE THE MOST IMPORTANT EXAMPLE --HERE WE ARE ABOUT TO TRIPLE THE AMOUNT OF --WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OF RESOURCES IN ST. CROIX .

BEING ABLE TO ACCESS --SO WE CAN GET THAT STARTED.

EVEN THOUGH IT IS FUNDED , DID AND AT SHIFLETT JOB.

>> THAT WAS SOMETHING.

YOU SAID AND FREDERICK SAID, ALSO BENEFITING FROM THAT POINT AND OF COURSE THE ST. CROIX ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER.

AND WE ACTUALLY BID ON THEM SO WE CAN PUT THESE VERY IMPORTANT FACILITIES BACK IN SERVICE.

BUT BEFORE WE WRAP UP, WE WANT HEAR ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS.

HERE IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY.

>> MY CONCERN IS THE ROADS.

HE HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB ON REPAIRING THEM.

THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF ROADS THAT NEED REPAIRING.

AND HE HAD PROMISED THAT OUR INCOME TAXES WOULD BE UP TO DATE FOR 2021.

OTHER THAN THAT, HE HAS BEEN DOING A VERY GOOD JOB.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR, WHO BENEFITS FROM ADDITIONAL CRUISE SHIPS COMING INTO FREDERICK STEAD PEER?

IT DOESN´T APPEAR TO ME FROM SPEAKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT IT HELPS THE LOCALS THAT MUCH .

AT TIMES, IT CAN BE VERY DISRUPTIVE TO THE LOCAL BUSINESS.

TO TRAFFIC, THE PASSENGERS AREN´T SPENDING MONEY IN THE LOCAL BUSINESSES .

SO MY QUESTION IS, WHY THE ADDITIONAL CRUISE SHIPS ?

AND WHO BENEFITS FROM THOSE CRUISE SHIPS COMING INTO OUR ISLAND?

>> MY QUESTION WOULD BE, I MEAN, WHY --I MEAN, THIS IS ABOUT THE FOURTH YEAR SINCE, I MEAN, AFTER HURRICANE IRMA.

WE ARE STILL SUFFERING.

SOME OF US, WE ARE NOT GETTING OUR TAX RETURN.

THAT IS ONE.

SOME OF US STILL , WE CANNOT FIX OUR HOUSE.

SOME PEOPLE , THEY STILL DON´T HAVE GOOD PLACE TO STAY.

THIS IS MY CONCERN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

YOU ARE ON THE GAMUT WITH CRUISE SHIPS TO REALLY WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE STATUS OF THE REPAIRS.

YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES CRUISE SHIPS MEAN TO ST. CROIX?

>> TOURISM .

EXTEND THE DATE, MAKE PEOPLE STAY OUT LONGER, SPENDING MONEY LONGER.

MAKE THEM SPEND MORE MONEY.

AND EXTEND THE STAY .

MAKE THEM STAY LONGER.

THE CRUISE, COME FOR THREE DAYS, FOUR, FIVE DAYS.

THEY COME FOR A DAY AND THEY ARE LIKE, I WANT TO COME HERE AND SPEND A WEEK.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THAT TRICKLES DOWN.

ST. THOMAS GETS ONE .5, 1.7 MILLION.

IF YOU SELL A BOTTLE OF WATER TO 90% OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME, YOU HAVE A MILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS.

THAT IS THE WAY WE HAVE TO THINK.

TAXI RIDERS, THE WAY THEY STOP IT EVERY DOLLAR, EVERY TIME.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST AVERAGE RATES IN THE CARIBBEAN RIGHT NOW.

44% ALL THE ISLANDS ATTRACTING TOURISTS .

THE CRUISE SHIPS IS SOMETHING IN RECOVERY RIGHT NOW.

COVID COMPLETELY OBLITERATED IT.

WE ARE TRYING TO HELP THAT.

AS YOU GET MORE CRUISE SHIPS, WHAT COMES FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?

NOW WE HAVE ZIPLINING.

WE HAVE OR SPEC WRITING.

WE HAVE ATV TOURS.

WE HAVE BOAT TOURS.

SO IT IS COMING AND IT IS GROWING.

INFLUX IS GREAT.

>> WHEN THIS DISASTER STARTED, I JUST DIDN´T UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE WORDS.

HE SAID TO ME , YOU KNOW, YOU ARE IN FOR THE LONG HAUL.

AND WHAT WAS THE LONG HAUL?

THE LONG-HAUL IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE AT LEAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS.

>> AT LEAST.

>> AT LEAST ANOTHER 10 YEARS.

AND WE ARE NO DIFFERENT IN LOUISIANA.

WE ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN NEW YORK.

ANYWHERE THAT HAD A SIGNIFICANT --NO DIFFERENT THAN PUERTO RICO.

WE WENT UP AND REALIZE THAT PUERTO RICO IS HAVING THE SAME AMOUNT OF CHALLENGES THAT WE ARE HAVING.

BUT WE HAVE DONE 786 PROJECTS.

WE HAVE COMPLETED IT.

WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING WITH FEMA TO GET FUNDING.

WE ARE WORKING ON PUTTING OUT THE FUNDING TO YOUR NONPROFITS AS WELL AS THE OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.

A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PROJECTS THAT TRANSFORMATION IS IN EFFECT.

GOVERNOR, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE THE PEOPLE WITH?

WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERY DAY --JUST LIKE US.

EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR GET UP AND WORK ON THIS.

THERE IS ONLY SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS THAT CAN DO THIS .

IT IS LIKE DRINKING THROUGH A FIRE HOSE.

SO SLOWLY BUT SURELY, I AM AMAZED THAT OVER 700 PROJECTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED.

THE MAJOR PROJECTS, WE ARE GOING TO GET TO THEM.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE DONE RIGHT.

IN ORDER TO DO IT RIGHT, IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

WE ARE GOING TO DEDICATE THAT TIME.

THIS RENAISSANCE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS --A LOT.

>> IT IS ALWAYS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY A PLEASURE HAVING YOU HERE WITH US.

WE HAD A GREAT DISCUSSION POINT ALWAYS SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.

RIGHT?

BUT WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY RAN OUT OF TIME FOR TODAY´S SHOW.

AND YOU CAN STAY UP-TO-DATE BY VISITING US ONLINE.

YOU CAN ALSO KEEP THE DISCUSSION GOING AT FACEBOOK.COM/ WTJX WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE.