Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture

The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture has scheduled a meeting for Monday, March 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room on St. Croix, Virgin Islands to provide updates on the following:

BLOCK I

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources will provide a comprehensive update on its operations, regulatory responsibilities, and ongoing efforts to manage and protect the Virgin Islands’ natural, cultural, and historical resources.

Key highlights will include staffing challenges, enforcement capabilities, concerns over potential loss of federal funding, updates on the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s conservation and regulatory programs, ongoing environmental protection initiatives, the status of coastal development projects under the Division of Coastal Zone Management, and current efforts in historic preservation and compliance enforcement.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, Commissioner, Department of Planning and Natural Resources

BLOCK II

The Virgin Islands Port Authority will present an overview of its operational performance, infrastructure development projects, and efforts to improve air and seaport facilities throughout the territory.

Key highlights will include a review of VIPA’s 2024 Year-End Report, progress on airport modernization projects at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and Cyril E. King Airport, updates on the $230 million CEKA terminal expansion and $140 million HERA improvements, seaport dredging plans for Charlotte Amalie Harbor, and discussions on coordination between VIPA and WICO to optimize operations and minimize redundancies.

Invited Testifier:
Carlton Dowe, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Port Authority

BLOCK III

The Office of Cannabis Regulation will provide an update on the agency’s progress in implementing the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act and regulating the territory’s emerging cannabis industry.

Key highlights will include the status of cannabis regulations, timelines for business licensing applications, updates on the track-and-trace system partnership with Metrc, staffing levels and hiring plans, public outreach initiatives for entrepreneurs, and plans for upcoming community engagement sessions.

Invited Testifier:
Joanne Moorehead, Executive Director, Office of Cannabis Regulation