St. Croix Senators Delaying Four-Star Hotel Project; Mapp Says

ST. CROIX -- Although he did not list names, Governor Kenneth Mapp said in his 2017 fiscal budget transmittal letter to Senate President Neville James, that he is having difficulty in getting senators from this island to support the hotel project he announced earlier this year, to be built here. In fact, Mr. Mapp has made his fourth request to the Senate, asking legislators to redirect some $1 million -- initially set aside to be used for HOVENSA litigation -- "to develop, identify a brand and identify financing to build a full service luxury resort on St. Croix.” “I do not understand why I am having such difficulty with senators from the district of St. Croix in moving this project forward," said the governor. Earlier this month, he explained why the funds are needed. “Those resources are needed so that the transaction team can begin its work to structure a project, develop a brand partner, develop initial schematics and locations for the island of St. Croix, and to go out to the mark...