CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands – October 6, 2021 – To provide U.S. Virgin Islands entrepreneurs with information about how to become bonded and be awarded more contracts for local projects in the USVI, the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA), in partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (U.S. EDA) and U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. SBA), is hosting a free online workshop titled, “Preparing to Win: How to Access and Utilize the SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program”.
This webinar will be held on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time (AST). To register for this virtual webinar via Microsoft Teams, a software-based platform for video and audio communications, go to https://bit.ly/usvi_bonding_oct2021.
“The VIEDA team and I continue to embrace partnerships that work in the best interest of our local small contractors, especially when it comes to bonding for construction projects,” said Wayne L. Biggs, Jr. “Our small contractors need our support now more than ever as our infrastructure continues to evolve, and collaborating with the U.S. EDA and the U.S. SBA can help provide the support and resources that are available for our small contractors,” added CEO Biggs, Jr.”
Webinar presenters:
- Janelle Schindler, Economic Development Representative, Disaster – U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration
- Tamara Murray, Underwriting Marketing Specialist, Office of Surety Guarantees
U.S. Small Business Administration
Moderator: Shanell Petersen, managing director, VIEDA Marketing and Vision 2040
Individuals will receive an email with details on how to join the free online workshop after registration.
For more information, contact the VIEDA, via email at info@usvieda.org, or call 340-773-6499.
About the Presenters:
Janelle Schindler has over 20 years’ experience in economic and project development, grant writing and research. Ms. Schindler is currently employed with EDA serving as the Economic Development Representative for the USVI. Ms. Schindler also serves as the Economic Recovery Support Function (ERSF) Field Coordinator on behalf of EDA in the FEMA Caribbean Area Division, USVI Joint Recovery Office. Ms. Schindler has worked with FEMA in USVI serving Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) efforts in emergency management, disaster response and recovery efforts for Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Ms. Schindler received EPA’s Citizen Excellence in Community Involvement Award for her efforts in marine education and outreach in USVI.
Tamara Murray has over 30 years of experience in the surety industry and will be the primary presenter. Ms. Murray is the Underwriting & Marketing Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Murray joined SBA in 2007 and is responsible for marketing and outreach to the surety and small business community and underwriting review and approval of contract bond guarantee applications up to $10 million in size. Ms. Murray works closely with bond agents and surety companies who provide over $6 billion in bond guarantees to small businesses annually.
“The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit www.transparency.vi.gov .”