ST. CROIX, VI – The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture, chaired by Senator Hubert L. Frederick, convened in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room to receive critical updates on the operations and initiatives of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA), and the Office of Cannabis Regulation.

Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Jean-Pierre Oriol informed the committee that while DPNR currently operates with 158 employees, the department requires approximately 200 for full efficiency. Of the $49 million in federal funding received for FY 2025, only $18 million is designated for operational use. Oriol also noted ongoing challenges with recruitment and grant-based funding formulas that do not account for the cost of living in the Virgin Islands. Oriol raised concerns about the impact of a federal administration transition, which has resulted in $4 million in funding being paused across multiple grants, delaying climate resilience projects and employee onboarding. Additionally, outdated regulatory laws have hindered enforcement efforts, leading to a call for legislative updates. Since August 2024, DPNR has issued over $60,000 in penalties for violations.

Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Port Authority Carlton Dowe provided an overview of VIPA’s efforts to enhance air and sea transportation facilities. VIPA is entering a public-private partnership with VIPort Partners, operating as SkyCity VI LLC, to modernize the territory’s airports. The project includes the construction of a new terminal at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and the redevelopment of Cyril E. King Airport, ensuring both facilities feature modern amenities, passenger boarding bridges, and improved operational efficiency.

Dowe emphasized that the airports will remain under VIPA ownership and continue to receive federal funding. Financial close on the agreement is expected in the second quarter of 2025, with construction set to begin later in the year. Additional updates included efforts to address runway pavement failures at Cyril E. King Airport, the scheduled dredging of Charlotte Amalie Harbor to accommodate larger vessels, and plans to enhance cargo and cruise ship facilities, including potential expansion of the Crown Bay cruise port and the development of the SubBase Area. The territory anticipates 595 cruise ship visits in FY 2025, an 11% increase from the previous year, with St. Croix seeing the most significant growth.

Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Regulation Joanne Moorehead provided an update on the implementation of the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act, enacted in 2023. The Office of Cannabis Regulation’s rules and regulations were approved in April 2024, outlining guidelines for medical, sacramental, and personal cannabis use. The Cannabis Registry, launched in January 2024, allows individuals to apply for and receive certification online. Currently, the territory has four certified practitioners on St. Croix and three in the St. Thomas-St. John District, with 13 registered medical patients and additional applications pending.
Moorehead addressed the frequently asked question of when cannabis business licenses will become available, stating that the licensing process is being integrated into the online portal. The rollout will begin with cultivation and micro-cultivation licenses, alongside a request for proposals for certified laboratory testing facilities. The office has also finalized a contract with Metrc, a seed-to-sale tracking vendor, to ensure regulatory compliance.
Senators in attendance included Committee Chair Hubert L. Frederick, Angel L. Bolques Jr., Alma Francis Heyliger, Novelle E. Francis Jr., Kenneth L. Gittens, Marise C. James, Franklin D. Johnson, Carla J. Joseph, Clifford A. Joseph, Avery L. Lewis, and Milton E. Potter.
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