Business

St. Croix To Become Staging Ground Of Recovery For USVI And BVI; Island May See Surge In Cruise Ships, Governor Suggests

ST. CROIX -- Governor Kenneth Mapp, during a press briefing on Saturday at Government House here, said St. Croix would serve as the staging ground for the recovery of not only the U.S. Virgin Islands, but also the British Virgin Islands, following the calamitous damage Hurricane Irma left in its wake in both territories. According to Mr. Mapp, the British government has received approval to create a temporary base at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, to station relief supplies and assets such as troops and aircraft. Mr. Mapp said the USVI is honored to be able to assist its neighbor. He also spoke of preliminary talks ongoing with the cruise ship industry for St. Croix to become a temporary hub for ships previously bound to other destinations, since those destinations -- Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Thomas, the B.V.I., among others -- were so devastated by Irma. But the surge in traffic, and in turn dollars, on St. Croix will not last forever, Mr. Mapp cautioned, stating that the unique circu...