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Wednesday, November 10, 2021 VIRGIN ISLANDS The Virgin Islands Daily News 3 Limetree closure a $2 billion blow to V.I. economy Daily News Staff With the closure of the Limetree Bay Refinery, many expected a fi- nancial fallout, and a report from the Economic Research Bureau puts a dollar value on the hit the territory has taken. Expected annual losses include a $632 million reduction in the ter- ritory’s gross domestic product, $25 million lost in VI. tax revenue and almost $2 billion in lost economic activity, according to Government House. The report explained that the clo- sure will have a “ripple effect” on the territory’s economy, as the refinery not only directly provided employment, but employees spent their wages and helped support industries such as con- struction, retail and business services. “The Limetree Bay Refinery clo- sure will impact many industries, in- cluding transportation, maintenance and repair, construction, engineering services, retail and wholesale trade, manufacturing, real estate and busi- ness services,” the report states. “The more significant of these impacts will be on St. Croix, where most workers and some suppliers reside. However, these are transitory impacts, wherein in the long run, the interaction of eco- nomic productivity of the workforce, capital investments and policy will determine the overall health of the US. Virgin Islands’ economy.” The press release said the closure will result in the loss of : * 800 jobs (direct and indirect) ¢ $112 million in wages. * $1.8 billion in sales. ¢ $632 million reduction in gross domestic product. ¢ $19.7 million in individual in- come tax. ¢ $4.6 million in Gross Receipts taxes. ¢ $800,000 in trade and excise taxes. ¢ $300,000 in donations to chari- table organizations. ¢ $237,000 in scholarships. “Tnitial news of the refinery’s clo- sure elicited strong reactions from the community, but our team used only data and statistics to drive the production of this report,” Economic Research Bureau director Allison De- Gazon said. “While we acknowledge the short- term impact of the refinery’s halt, we remain cautiously optimistic that our economy will rebound as it did fol- lowing the closure of HOVENSA,” she said. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said the clo- sure of the refinery is an economic setback. However, he believes the steady increase of tourism and the many capital improvements and re- covery projects in the territory should offset the effects, the press release said. Fellows program seeks to attract young talent to government By SARA KIRKPATRICK Daily News Staff The VI. government is adding 12 new employees to its payroll under a fellowship program that seeks to train and keep young talent in the workforce. Management and Budget Office Di- rector Jenifer O’Neal introduced the group at a press briefing Tuesday at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, noting they will be paid an annual salary of $55,000 as full-time, exempt government employees with benefits over the course of the two-year program. The “fellows” accepted into the VI. Government’s Financial Fellows Pro- gram have all graduated from college within the last three years and have varying degrees, Government House spokesperson Gerry Yandel said when contacted for additional information. According to O’Neal, the 12 were chosen out of 38 applicants and will rotate every six months between four government agencies — her OMB of- fice, as well as the Finance Department, Fellow Acassia Ferguson, center, gives remarks during a press conference announcing the 12 new fellows accepted into the government's Financial Fellows Program. She is joined at the podium by fellows Desiree Fleming in back row from left, Lineek Williams, Malachi Peterson, Roberto Tirado, Mahlayi DeFoe, Harold Brown, Shani Isaac in front row, Victoria Gario, Management and Budget Office Director Jenifer O'neal, Kahina Brannigan and Jamila Felix. Office of Disaster Recovery and Inter- nal Revenue Bureau. “The fellows program was con- ceived many months ago, as a way to bring more young people into the pub- lic service, giving them opportunities to learn and be trained while being paid,” O’Neal said. “Because it has been so incredibly hard to recruit persons with both the skills and the experience to fill vacancies within the GVI we ultimately see this program as the beginning of an initiative that is a win-win for both the individual fellows and the GVI.” Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. weighed in on the program, which based on the an- nual salaries alone will cost the govern- ment over a half million dollars. “We want to make sure we are keep- ing our talent, and that’s what talent costs these days,” he said, saying the program competes with similar state- side internships. Under the program, each fellow has been assigned a mentor. St. Croix resident Acassia Ferguson is among the first 12 fellows. “Thus far, we are two weeks into our current rotations and are developing strong foundations in our understand- ing of the roles of various departments and current projects underway,” she said at Tuesday’s press conference. The other fellows are Roberto Tira- do, Mahlayi DeFoe, Desiree Fleming, Jamila Felix and Kahina Brannigan of St. Thomas; Malachi Peterson, Shani Isaac, Harold Brown, Victoria Gario of St. Croix and Khaleila Krall and Lineek Williams from St. John. Bryan spoke of his excitement about seeing the program that he had only previously dreamed about come to fruition. The governor noted that some participants were returning to the Virgin Islands after studying in the states, which made him “extreme- ly proud.” “Tn the last three years, we have im- pacted the brain drain in such a signifi- cant way just by the legislation to get students free tuition. This program is another piece,” Bryan said. “Hopefully next year we will be having 60, 100, 150 applicants trying to get into the program.” Ferguson said that she and her co- horts “are truly thankful for this oppor- tunity, and are looking forward to mak- ing an impact and a great contribution to the Virgin Islands.” Vendors’ Plaza kiosks receive nod from Historic Preservation Commission By SUZANNE CARLSON Daily News Staff The St. Thomas-St. John commit- tee of the Historic Preservation Com- mission met Tuesday and approved a design for kiosks at Vendors’ Plaza on St. Thomas. Commissioners expressed excite- ment and said they were impressed by the concept created by Creations Global Retail. CEO Jac Crawford and Sales Direc- tor Chris Crawford presented the de- sign and explained the features of the lockable units that can be fork-lifted off site in the event of extreme weather. Department of Licensing and Con- sumer Affairs Commissioner Richard Evangelista said an upgrade to the cur- rent cluster of tents is long overdue. The location on the St. Thomas waterfront, adjacent to Fort Christian, is highly visible for both locals and tourists alike, and many tents have been left tattered and faded by the rain and sun. Vendors have complained for years about the lack of accommodations, and Evangelista said he’s working to ensure everyone’s needs are met. Chris Crawford said the company has been working on the project since 2018, and wanted to incorporate “some of the Spanish colonial architecture.” Evangelista clarified that the archi- tecture is Danish. As a retail professional with expe- rience in other markets, Jac Crawford suggested merchandise training for vendors at the site and scaling back cluttered displays packed with items in favor of a more curated display. He also said the row of vans parked along the plaza is unappealing to some visitors, and Evangelista agreed that practices should be updated. Commission member Kurt Marsh said that as an architect, he was im- pressed by the look of the design, but said the colors in particular are not necessarily in keeping with the local historic style. But those changes “are simple, easy fixes,” and the Crawfords agreed to update the rendering with what- ever colors the commission feels are most appropriate. Marsh also said the market has not typically been viewed at as a place where locals shop, and commission members agreed that diversifying of- ferings will help appeal to a wider range of customers. The Commission voted unanimous- ly to approve the design, “pending con- firmation of the adjusted color scheme as directed with Sean Krigger and the State Historic Preservation Office. Rendering by CREATIONS GLOBAL RETAIL The Historic Preservation Commission has approved new kiosks for Vendors’ Plaza on St. Thomas.