Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited the Nature Conservancy on St. Croix in November and in a press conference, she highlighted the efforts to bolster coastal and climate resilience in the U.S. territories in a brief press conference held Saturday .
According to the St. Croix Source, Haaland said that Interior has invested $570,000 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and provided $400,000 in fiscal year 2022 for the coral reef and natural reef initiative. The program provides grant funding and management and protection of coral reefs to combat invasive species in insular areas, contributing to the health of coral reef ecosystems and other natural resources for long-term economic and social benefits.
Haaland also commented that she learned about the massive destruction caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria to homes, businesses, and communities, impacting people’s livelihoods and the economy, as well as damaging coral reefs on both St. Croix and St. John. She also learned about ongoing restoration work in the community as well as ongoing work to restore and maintain coral reefs that will sustain a healthy environment for the territory.
Photo provided by the Department of Interior, featuringSecretary of the Interior Deb Haaland taking a glimpse at the coral restoration process on St. Croix
Congratulations to the five USVI nonprofit organizations that received $10,000 grants each from The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) as part of the recently established Popular VI Community Fund. These 5 organizations provide direct services in one or more of the grant’s focus areas, such as youth programs, entrepreneurship and/or environmental protection.
• Lion Haven Community Center in St. Croix plans to use its grant to focus on improving the academic performance, health and fitness, and social skills of 35-50 young people while also building and nurturing their creative talents.
• Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts is using the funding to continue its artist-in-residence program by bringing new artists, different perspectives, and fresh ideas to St. Croix.
• Virgin Islands Justice Initiative is using the grant to support its Youth Restorative Justice Program, which focuses on youth ages 18 to 26 who are currently attending or have recently completed a job training program and have a criminal arrest record that needs to be expunged.
• Gifft Hill School in St. John received a grant to support an after-school program that will provide tutoring services and enrichment club activities for 150-200 students throughout the course of the school year.
• United Jazz Foundation received grant funding to support a program that uses music to enhance student’s life skills and build their social intellect, music writing and notation skills, self-determination, experience in a professional recording environment, and the ability to express and convey their personal story through their craft in a public space.
According to a press release by the Banco Popular of Puerto Rico, the purpose of the fund is to support the philanthropic interests of and its employees in the islands. The bank established the Popular VI Community Fund at CFVI with an initial donation of $100,000. This initiative focuses on the well-being of the communities. Popular operates on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Water Island and Tortola. Read the full reporting from St. Croix Source and The Virgin Islands Daily News.
We recently saw 2 interesting hotel development news here on St. Croix. This is great news for tourism and the hospitality industry on island.
Hotel on the Cay
On an October 24, 2022 Facebook post, Governor Albert Bryan announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands has signed a fully negotiated and executed lease agreement with Christiansted Harbor Resort and Marina LLC for the redevelopment of the historic 7.2-acre Hotel on the Cayproperty (photo above). Governor Bryan is transmitting that agreement to the Legislature for its approval and ratification. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will receive a 60-year lease and undertake a two-phased $25 million renovation of the resort which includes:
renovation of the 55 existing hotel units
upgrades to the pool and existing restaurants
construction of 60 additional hotel units
dock extensions and ferry improvements.
To contact the hotel, call 1-855-654-0301.
Chenay Bay Beach & Resort
Also on October 21, 2022, Chenay Bay Beach & Resortannounced on their Facebook page that the property is officially under new ownership and management that day. They plan to re-open the restaurant in a few weeks and will be completely rebranding the property, renovating all cottages, building two new pools and a new restaurant. The cottage renovations will begin right away, the plans and permits for the pools and new restaurant will start later. The owners aim to break ground around April 2023, pending permitting, and be complete by November 2023. Call the resort for reservations at +1 340-201-1309.
We saw an article from The Caribbean National Weekly about the top 6 reasons to visit USVI. If you are planning a vacation in a tropical island around the winter holidays, visit the US Virgin Islands and all it has a lot to offer! Read article here.
The Westin Beach Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef (winter 2022-2023)
The Seaborn at Frenchman’s Reef (winter 2022-2023)
The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort’s 75th Anniversary (St. Croix, December 2022)
St Croix Crucian Festival (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, December 11-January 27)
The Caribbean Charter Yacht Show (St. Thomas, December 8-11)
UberSoca Cruise (a stop in St. Thomas)
YES US Virgin Classic Is Back for More (St. Thomas, December 29-January 3)
In the future, visiting St. Croix and the other US Virgin Islands may get easier. As many may know, US citizens can visit beautiful US Virgin Islands without a passport because they are a US territory. Did you know that there is new bill has been introduced to the US Congress House Judiciary Committee, and if they approve The Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act, this bill would allow visitors from the Caribbean to receive a nonimmigrant visitor visa exemption to enter the US Virgin Islands, for up to 45 days. named 6 reasons to visit the US Virgin Islands.
This is big news for Virgin Islanders planning to be first-time homeowners! On October 20, 2022, Governor Albert Bryan introduced a new home loan program for moderate income Virgin Islanders. Governor Bryan said this new VI Slice Moderate Income Homeownership Program will help first-time homebuyers secure financing to become homeowners through a partnership between the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) and local banks that will be administered through the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA).
Oriental Bank, FirstBank VI, Bank of St. Croix, Banco Popular, and Merchant’s Bank are part of the program. Governor Bryan emphasized in the announcement that the program is part of his administration’s effort to turn more Virgin Islanders into homeowners.
The program will provide up to $200,000 in gap financing to Virgin Islanders who qualify for a conventional mortgage through any participating bank and meet the other requirements of qualification for the program. According to the VI.gov website, applicants must be first-time homebuyers who meet established household income requirements; attain a commitment letter for a mortgage loan based on underwriting standards of the primary financing lender; be able to make a minimum earnest money deposit of $5,000; and be a resident of the territory for the last three years prior to the signing of a sales contract, with the exception of those applicants who were prior residents of the territory for at least 10 years and have now opted to return, or whose birthplace is the U.S. Virgin Islands.
More information about the program, read the program fact sheet from the official Virgin Islands government website here.
When owners Damon and Yonka Maynard purchased Cafe Fresco in 2011, they never imagined the impact they would have on the community. Now 11 years later, the husband-and-wife team are reimagining their restaurant with a revamped name in a new location.
Originally opened in 2005 under previous owners, the Maynards became the owners of Cafe Fresco in downtown Christiansted in July 2011. “We have worked in the restaurant industry for over 30 years,” said Yonka. “The opportunity to purchase the business presented itself and everything came together in a way we couldn’t imagine.” Noting it to be an easy transition, Yonka and Damon made the restaurant their own with delicious lunches made to order and exceptional service customers have come to expect and enjoy. Located on King Street in downtown Christiansted, Cafe Fresco’s welcoming space in the courtyard of the historic Penthenny Building saw a multitude of people over the years. A physical sign hung over their door with the phrase “enter as strangers, leave as friends.” The Maynards shared they have made more friends than anyone could ever deserve, which is why they are excited about welcoming friends into the next chapter.
October 28th will be the last day in their current location in downtown Christiansted. In December 2022, Cafe Fresco will officially become Fresco’s Kitchen & Pub House at their new home in Gallows Bay. Customers can expect much of the same they’ve grown accustomed to with a few new details. This larger space will include indoor and outdoor seating for up to 90 people alongside a full bar. Their indoor air conditioned space will have a sports bar feel with several TVs throughout the space playing your favorite sports games. The outdoor seating in the new courtyard features ample shade thanks to the large mango tree. Expanded hours will include evenings and weekends and a larger space means a bigger kitchen. “We’re most excited about that,” said Yonka. “We’ll be able to have more help and create new dishes, which was a challenge in the previous location.” Customers will be happy to know that menu favorites will be available in the new location with new fun additions to the menu, not to mention a full bar with new cocktails, drinks and desserts. They also plan to host a weekly Sunday brunch that will segue into Sunday football.
The Maynards will use the month of November to get the new space ready for old friends and new ones. Interior designers Twila Wilson and Kobie Nichols are managing the decor and all the finishes in Fresco’s Kitchen & Pub House where guests can look forward to a warm, welcoming space perfect for the entire family. “While we are changing the name slightly and moving to a new location, not much else is changing other than a renewed energy being injected into the restaurant.”
Get a taste of Cafe Fresco before they close their doors on King Street on October 28th. For all the up-to-date details on the restaurant, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usvistcroix.
Article written by Anquanette Gaspard (agaspard@cruzanfoodie.com) for Coldwell Banker, St. Croix Realty
