Listening to last week’s legislative hearing on economic development offered an encouraging look at the work underway across several government agencies to strengthen the U.S. Virgin Islands economy. The level of coordination, the focus on key sectors such as tourism, workforce development, and the emerging blue economy, and the strategic use of federal funding all point to a government actively working to shape a stronger future for the territory.
At the same time, we must acknowledge what residents experience every day. Many families and businesses continue to navigate aging infrastructure, challenges within our healthcare and education systems, and the rising cost of living. These are real pressures that shape how people view progress and policy decisions.
As someone who has worked alongside many of these agencies through economic development and community engagement initiatives, I have seen firsthand the commitment and effort to create opportunity for our residents. From partnerships that support small businesses to programs that connect residents to new industries, there is meaningful work happening.
The opportunity before us is ensuring that this work is not only happening, but that it is clearly understood, accessible, and felt by the people it is intended to serve.
For many residents, economic development can feel like a distant concept, discussed in hearings and reports but not always visible in everyday life. Yet the success of these initiatives depends on public awareness, participation, and trust. When residents can see how programs translate into jobs, business growth, and tangible improvements in their communities, confidence grows. And with it, engagement also increases.
Continued and expanded outreach is essential.
The efforts already underway through media, community organizations, and partnerships provide a strong foundation. Building on that, there is an opportunity to further connect the dots by highlighting real stories of impact: the small business that expanded through access to capital, the young professional who found a pathway into a new industry, or the community revitalization effort making a visible difference.
Equally important is making pathways to opportunity clear and easy to navigate. Residents should be able to quickly understand what programs exist, who they are for, and how to participate. When access becomes simpler, participation increases.
As conversations continue around long-term fiscal strategies and potential new revenue measures, it is equally important that progress is paired with transparency. Demonstrating how resources are managed and how investments improve infrastructure and quality of life will help ensure that future policy discussions are grounded in public confidence.
The Virgin Islands has long been resilient, and there is real momentum in areas that can drive sustainable growth. By strengthening the connection between policy, programs, and people, we can ensure that this momentum is not only sustained, but it is also shared.
Our path forward is about economic development and ensuring that every Virgin Islander can see their place within it.
— Janette Millin Young, former V.I. senator and former chair of the Committee on Economic Development
