To better understand the challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. Virgin Islands’ private sector, the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA) has launched BizPulse VI: Business Climate Survey. The survey will give the business community a direct voice in shaping policy, with results shared with a Business Climate Commission (“Commission”), soon to be established by the Office of the Governor, to develop strategies for improving the Territory’s business environment.

The BizPulse VI survey will remain open for participation until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025. Business owners who are interested in taking this survey to share their feedback about the business climate can visit www.usvieda.org.

“Our business community has a voice that is invaluable for our economic future in the U.S. Virgin Islands. And Vision 2040 is not just a plan on paper—it’s a living strategy that requires direct feedback from the people it’s designed to serve,” said the Honorable Albert Bryan Jr., Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Information from the BizPulseVI: Business Climate Survey results can help us make informed decisions that can help create a more vibrant and business-friendly environment for all Virgin Islanders and the individuals who choose to relocate here and make the USVI their place to live and work. I urge every business owner to participate and help us build a more prosperous future together,” added Governor Bryan, Jr.

Input from the business community will guide informed decision-making and drive meaningful change. All survey responses will remain anonymous. The results will be shared with a new Business Climate Commission, which will be established by the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. These results will also be shared with the public.

The Commission will be a group of private and public sector stakeholders tasked with identifying actionable policies and solutions to foster a more business-friendly environment in the USVI. Resources would be appropriated to the Commission by the Government of the Virgin Islands to evaluate public sector initiatives, assess tax and regulatory measures, and recommend supportive public/private initiatives to strengthen the climate for conducting business.

“It is indeed our pleasure to launch this critical initiative as a key part of our Vision 2040 strategy. The information we collect from the responses from our USVI business community will be instrumental in helping the Business Climate Commission craft policy recommendations that will reduce barriers and create a more supportive ecosystem for businesses,” said Wayne L. Biggs, Jr., chief executive officer, VIEDA. “I also encourage all USVI business owners to take a few minutes to complete this survey as we join together to drive meaningful economic growth in our Territory,” added VIEDA CEO Biggs, Jr.

The establishment of a Commission is a key recommendation of Vision 2040, a 20-year economic development strategy designed to create a more prosperous, sustainable, and resilient U.S. Virgin Islands. This survey will play a key role in providing insights to the Commission into how businesses perceive the current business climate in the USVI.

For questions about the BizPulseVI: Business Climate Survey, please send an email to info@usvieda.org .

To learn more about Vision 2040, visit https://usvieda.org/our-vision-2040/ 

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Jose “Frank” Trinidad a father grandfather and great grandfather on July 14, 2025 on the island of Puerto Rico at the age of 79.

He was a known business owner for 10 years in Frederiksted St. Croix by the name of La Fonda de “Frank”. He was laid to rest in Ciales, PR on July, 17.