Delegate Plaskett's Vision: A Resilient and Prosperous Future for the Virgin Islands

In the last few months, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced monumental awards for rebuilding critical infrastructure in the Virgin Islands related to destruction from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

The announcement of over $928 million for the rebuild of Roy L Schneider Regional Hospital, along with the previously announced $834 million for the Juan F. Luis Hospital create a tremendous opportunity to become a regional powerhouse for health care. The rebuild awards of $530 million for Charlotte Amalie High School, $247 million for Central High School and $133 million for the Julius Sprauve School, present the ability for unique educational vision for our children’s future. Additionally, President Biden’s recent agreement to the adjustment of the federal match for two categories of rebuilding make the financial feasibility to the territory that much more real. With the allocation of an estimated near $12 to $15 billion coming to a population of less than 100 thousand people – we cannot squander or be cavalier about this profoundly transformational opportunity.