Captain Morgan Rum and Diageo USVI have made an unwavering long-term commitment to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands to build and operate a world-class distillery on the island of St. Croix. Part of their commitment includes working hard to ensure that local companies and residents play a major role in the construction of that facility.
"It has always been our commitment to provide local job opportunities related to the Diageo USVI distillery," said Dan Kirby, vice president of supply for Diageo USVI. "In fact, we have committed via contract with the USVI legislature and ultimately the people of the US Virgin Islands to create 40 to 70 jobs once the distillery is built of which 80 percent are local hires."
Throughout the construction phase, which has begun with preparing the land for construction, the company has said there would be jobs available through their major suppliers Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies, Tomsa, J. Benton Construction and their subcontractors.
"As members of this community, Diageo USVI understands the importance of local job opportunities and has strongly encouraged its vendors to use local labor and services as much as possible during the construction phase," said Kirby. "We are proud to say that 14 of the 15 contractors that are working on the Diageo USVI project to date are local business owners."
Diageo USVI representatives had productive meetings with a group of senators and contractors on Monday, Aug. 17, on St. Croix. The group, in cooperation with members of Governor John deJongh’s administration, has agreed to meet again this Friday to further discuss ways to make sure that the local construction community has the opportunity to help build the new distillery.
The company recognizes the importance of oversight of the contractors who hire subcontractors. It will advertise in local media to announce opportunities to bid on the various subcontracting jobs as part of a transparent bidding process overall.
"Diageo USVI is proud to work side-by-side with the deJongh administration and to build this world class distillery on St. Croix, which over the next three decades will generate many millions of dollars and help strengthen this great island community," said Kirby. "Diageo USVI has made a promise to do just that, and it is a promise we will keep."
