In keeping with its focus on the connection between town revitalization and economic development in the U.S. Virgin Islands, V.I. residents and business owners within the enterprise zones in the USVI, along with the general public, are invited to an Open House hosted by the Enterprise Zone Commission, a subsidiary entity of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority. This annual Open House will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 from 8AM to12PM on St. Thomas at E's Garden Teahouse and Things during the V.I. Carnival Cultural Fair. E's Garden Teahouse and Things is located at 2A Commandant Gade (Garden Street) in the purple and green building across from Ideal Restaurant and next to the Midtown Guesthouse.
The purpose of the Open House is to identify community opportunities and strengths using the Territory’s unique cultural currency; encourage, motivate and support the business community through available tools; and share information with the community about the VIEDA and its offerings. The EZC also encourages the public to attend and learn more about the newly-adopted community plans for Garden Street and Upstreet on St. Thomas, and for Christiansted and Frederiksted on St. Croix along with tax incentives that offered by the EZC.
Activities during the Open House will include three feature segments titled “Community Development Within The Enterprise Zones", “What’s Going on Inside The VIEDA ?”, and “Entrepreneurial Activity". Attendees will also have the opportunity to receive updates on initiatives for community development within the USVI enterprise zones, learn about VIEDA programs and services, and purchase locally-made products from V.I. small manufacturers.
With its continuous efforts to revitalize distressed and blighted neighborhoods in the USVI, the EZC will also highlight the significant relationship between community development and economic development in our Territory at the Open House. This event is also being held at a local small business that is located within Garden Street, one of the USVI enterprise zones, reflecting the connection among entrepreneurship, community development and economic growth in the USVI.
The Enterprise Zone Commission assists residents and local small-business owners with rehabilitating buildings that are located within designated enterprise zones in the Territory. The enterprise zones in the USVI are Frederiksted and Christiansted on St. Croix, Garden Street-UpStreet and Savanne-Downstreet on St. Thomas. To learn more about the EZC Open House, contact Raheem Smith at 340-714-1700, ext. 253, or by email at rsmith@usvieda.org .
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