The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA) recently launched Vision 2040 (https://www.usvi2040.com/), a federally-funded 20-year economic vision for the Territory.
“The purpose of Vision 2040 – “Our Community. Our Economy. Our Future” is to create a roadmap for a diversified, self-sufficient, and prosperous economy for Virgin Islanders that currently reside in the territory and for those who have the interest to return.”
The VIEDA developed a specialized survey for business owners to complete and solicited feedback from members of the public, private and non-profit sectors in our Territory; residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the diaspora of Virgin Islanders that live abroad.
In addition to a 20-year economic recovery and development strategy, the Vision 2040 initiative includes:
- Target Competitive Industry Analysis
- Energy Sector Development Analysis
- Equity Capital Financing initiative promoting business growth
- Global Marketing Campaign.
Preliminary results from the Community survey are in and are very interesting!
Over 1100 people participated
- over half of whom were born and raised here (52% of the participants having lived here their whole lives)
- 41% having lived here more than 10 years
- 80% of the respondents see themselves living here 20 years from now
- most of those that think they will leave cite medical reasons as the reason for leaving
The top three positive attributes of St Croix sited by the respondents were:
- quality of life
- attitudes of the residents
- acceptance of change
The top three negative attributes of St Croix were:
- infrastructure
- social problems
- crime rate
Asked to choose among 22 options for best types of jobs for the island, the following received the highest percentage of endorsements:
- agriculture
- healthcare
- education
followed by
- accommodation/hospitality
- advanced technology
Those that have left the island (700 respondents) describe the following as being the most special and unique features of the USVI:
- people
- culture
- beaches
80% would consider returning, they see the following as obstacles to coming back:
- lack of quality healthcare
- power and internet reliability and cost
- high cost of living
- lack of job opportunities
- need for better education
- difficulty starting, moving or operating a business here
To see the report(s), go here: https://edfc1a13-e064-4765-afc4-5b61265630fe.filesusr.com/ugd/8b8dc8_c92c6edd14544c5c8a8859fe7c3038c6.pdf