St. Croix Foundation's Wine at the Warehouse in 2017. By. ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM
Government House announced on Monday that the government is executing a key aspect of Governor Bryan’s strategy to revitalize local towns and enhance their appeal to both residents and tourists.
Speaking to the administration's weekly press briefing, communications director Richard Motta highlighted the recent approval of over $1 million in funding dedicated to "downtown revitalization and event development across the territory." He said the initiative goes beyond simply beautifying streets, aiming instead to "bolster economic activity and strengthen the cultural fabric of our islands."
The largest portion of this funding will be allocated to the St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce, Our Town Frederiksted, and the Christiansted Retail and Restaurant Association, with each group receiving $250,000. These funds are intended to support events and activities designed to boost after-hours engagement and stimulate economic growth in local towns.
An additional $300,000 has been allocated to relaunch the St. Croix Food & Wine Week, set to return to the event calendar in 2025. “These efforts reflect the administration’s ongoing commitment to addressing longstanding community concerns while fostering a vibrant economy,” Mr. Motta stated.
He also pointed out that these initiatives align with community-led efforts, such as the recent cleanup of King Street in Frederiksted.
