Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture

The Committee on Economic Development and Agriculture has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix, Virgin Islands to provide testimony on the following:

BLOCK I                                                                  10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
The Committee will receive testimony regarding the current economic conditions and outlook of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a focus on economic growth, employment and workforce trends, business development and investment, access to capital, cost of living, population trends, and opportunities for continued economic development and diversification. Testifiers will also provide information on workforce availability and training, business growth and retention, jobs created or retained, and key challenges affecting the Territory’s economy.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dr. Gary Molloy, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Labor
Dr. Haldane Davies, Director, Virgin Islands Bureau of Economic Research
Mr. Wayne Biggs, Jr., CEO, Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority

LUNCH                                                                      12:00 P.M. – 12:30 P.M.

BLOCK II                                                                    12:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M.

The Committee will receive testimony regarding the status and implementation of the Virgin Islands Territorial Agriculture Plan, with a focus on progress made since the Plan was completed in 2021, annual reviews, goals and recommendations that remain outstanding, and the five-year review and recommendations due in 2026. Testifiers will also provide information on challenges affecting implementation, local food production, food security, farmer support, market access, agricultural infrastructure, funding needs, and priorities and recommendations for strengthening the
Territory’s agricultural sector over the next five years.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dr. Louis Petersen, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
Dr. Safiya George, Co-Chair, Virgin Islands Local Food and Farm Council