Hurricane Disaster Recovery

On September 6 and 19, 2017, Hurricanes’ Irma and Maria, respectively, caused extreme devastation to several islands in the Caribbean region, particularly to the U.S. Virgin Islands, and have impacted several residents and small businesses in our Territory. Due to these hurricanes, the Honorable Kenneth E. Mapp, governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, declared a State of Emergency and received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the USVI.

To assist residents and small businesses on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John that were impacted by Hurricanes’ Irma and Maria, below are website links and other contact information for the following agencies and organization. Links to access information on U.S. Virgin Islands disaster updates are also listed:

General Disaster Support and Information

For general support and information, please see the following:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

www.DisasterAssistance.gov
www.fema.gov

If internet or mobile access are unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Individuals using a 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 1-800-621-3362. Individuals using TTY may call 800-462-7585.

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

As the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a critical role in fostering regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Through strategic investments that foster job creation and attract private investment, EDA supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States.

www.eda.gov/programs/disaster-recovery/ or call the main telephone line at ‪202-482-2000‬

International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is  “a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 5,000 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base.  From public to private, rural to urban and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience”. 

Here are links to the presentations from the 2018 Economic Recovery and Resiliency workshops conducted by the IEDC on St. Thomas and St. Croix:

  1. Things You Should Know – USVI
  2. Thinking Strategically About Your Economy – USVI
  3. Business Retention and Expansion – USVI
  4. Workforce Development -  USVI
  5. Economic Recovery & Resilience Resources - USVI

Ready.gov

Ready.gov is an official website of ‬U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Learn how you can move forward during the aftermath of a hurricane:
www.ready.gov/hurricanes

Assistance for USVI Small Businesses

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA connects entrepreneurs with lenders and funding to help them plan, start and grow their business.

SBA Recovery Assistance
www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance
For additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process, individuals can call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (for the deaf and hard-of-hearing: 800-877-8339), or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

SBA Electronic Loan Application
www.disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center (VI SBDC)

Small business counseling
www.sbdcvi.org or call ‪340-776-3206‬ (St. Thomas) or ‪340-692-5270‬ (St. Croix)

Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center Disaster Recovery Guide for Business

Hurricane Relief Efforts and Support

To assist in the recovery efforts for the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean region, please see the following links for you to consider in addition to other relief efforts:

Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI)
www.usvirecovery.org or call 340-201-0299 with questions 

St. Croix Foundation for Community Development
www.stxfoundation.org or call 340-773-9898

Relief efforts initiative by NBA player (Ret.) and St. Croix native Tim Duncan
http://21usvihurricanehelp.com/

TourismCares
www.tourismcares.org/caribbean or call ‪781.821.5990‬ with questions

Relief efforts initiative by country music singer, songwriter and record producer Kenny Chesney
www.kennychesney.com 

Get USVI Special Updates

For special updates on the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can visit the following websites hosted by the respective offices:

· USVI Hurricane Recovery and Resilience Task Force: USVI  Hurricane Recovery and Resilience Task Force Report 2018 
· Virgin Islands Department of Tourism: www.usviupdate.com or call ‪340-774-USVI‬ or ‪340-772-0357‬
· USVI Hurricane Recovery www.usvipfa.com/hurricanehome.html or call (340) 714-1635 for STT office and (340) 778-8135 for STX office
· Office of the Governor of the USVI: www.informusvi.com
· VITEMA: www.facebook.com/vitema or for non-emergencies call 340-774-2244 (St. Thomas); ‪340-773-2244‬ (St. Croix); or ‪340-776-2244‬ (St. John)