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Are you a resident of the U.S Virgin Islands or thinking of moving your business operation to our territory? Learn more about our services, programs, incentives to grow, start, or relocate your business within the USVI.
New horizons to do business in the United States Virgin Islands.
The Economic Development Commission (EDC) offers a unique and attractive tax incentive program for companies located in the USVI. Sanctioned by the U.S. Government, this competitive offshore tax benefit program provides eligible companies with various benefits, such as:
Our latest initiative, the South Shore Trade Zone (SSTZ) Program, is designed to leverage the strategic advantages of the special economic zone on St. Croix.
Benefits:
With miles of pristine coastline and large expanses of land ideal for golf courses, the U.S. Virgin Islands is ripe for hotel and resort development. The Hotel Development Program is designed to assist in the development of new hotels, resorts, and other related tourism facilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The legislation allows hotel developers to use a portion of their hotel occupancy and casino taxes to repay long-term loans, which can help in obtaining financing for projects.
Amended in 2019, the Hotel Development and Finance Program Act now includes Economic Recovery Fee Incentives, which uses hotel room occupancy taxes and casino taxes to bolster private investment in development areas. The extension and expansion of the Act will allow ample time for the application process for developers considering investment in any of the islands, including Water Island, a quiet 492-acre island, located in Charlotte Amalie harbor just off St. Thomas.
The Sustainable Tourism through Arts-based Revenue Stream is designed to advertise and promote the U.S. Virgin Islands as an ideal location for major and minor film productions and music/audio recording projects. The diverse landscape of the USVI is perfect for producing motion pictures, documentaries, television programs, commercials, music videos, and magazine advertising.
Incentives include:
Qualifications needed:
The Enterprise Zone Commission (EZC) offers a unique and attractive tax incentive program for companies and residents located in our historic towns. The EZC’s mandate is to revitalize once vital vibrant communities that are now considered to be distressed. In achieving this objective within the Territory, the EZC seeks to provide appropriate investments, tax benefits, and regulatory relief of sufficient importance to encourage the business community to commit financially.
Learn more about our Community Development Programs here.
Download the official EZC program application
The U.S. Virgin Islands adopted tax increment financing in 2008 to promote development and economic growth in underdeveloped areas, preserve and enhance the tax base of areas needing redevelopment, and restore and revitalize undeveloped communities.
Tax Increment Financing is a mechanism used to capture the future tax revenue benefits of real estate improvement to pay the present costs of public improvements. Interested businesses can apply for two different types of TIF in the U.S. Virgin Islands:
TIF may be used to finance a variety of costs and improvements in public infrastructure, land acquisition, demolition, and utilities, including sewer expansion and repair, water supply, street construction, affordable/low-income housing, libraries, schools, and more.
To further increase the visibility of your business and increase sales, you can also become an Eligible Supplier through USVIEDA. Eligible suppliers are publicized on a USVIEDA list that is distributed among companies receiving EDC tax benefits. Because companies who receive EDC tax benefits must also advertise their goods and service needs biannually, eligible suppliers are informed of future supply opportunities.
Certified eligible suppliers are licensed to do business in the U.S. Virgin Islands and have conducted business in the Territory for at least one year.
Certified eligible suppliers are licensed to do business in the U.S. Virgin Islands and have conducted business in the Territory for at least one year.
"Growing our economy one loan at a time"
Small businesses play a vital role in the U.S. Virgin Islands economy as they account for a greater percentage of the local economy. The VIEDA works to promote the ownership and expansion of small businesses among Virgin Islands residents through the Economic Development Bank (EDB). Through this program, taxi drivers, fishermen, farmers, retail store owners, and various service providers have realized their entrepreneurial dreams.
EDB provides financial and technical assistance to the local business community through various loan programs for small and medium-sized businesses to:
"Reinvigorating small business development one entrepreneur at a time"
The VIEDA Small Business Incubator’s mission is to provide a critical bridge between existing programs and services to assist entrepreneurs in the areas of professional services, food & agribusiness, tourism, and information technology. The primary purpose is to surround new and existing entrepreneurs with the necessary support services to foster sustainable economic growth and enhance our territory’s entrepreneurial endeavors.
The Small Business Incubator provides a distinct geographical location where technology-based firms and service providers are near available community assets and services through collaborations with local universities, research organizations, government, and other institutions. It also serves as an informal business university that mentors its entrepreneurs through the process of launching a new or expanding their existing business.
The Economic Development Park Corporation operates two industrial parks, the Williams D. Roebuck Industrial Park on St. Croix and the Virgin Islands Industrial Park on St. Thomas.
The William D. Roebuck Industrial Park, located between the historic towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted on the island of St. Croix, is the largest of the two industrial parks. Situated within four adjacent buildings, this park consists of 158,700 square feet of commercial space.
Consisting of 20,000 square feet of commercial space, the Virgin Islands Industrial Park is located on a lush hillside just outside of the bustling town of Charlotte Amalie. The Virgin Islands Industrial Park overlooks the Crown Bay Marina Center in Subbase and the Cyril E. King Airport.
The Enterprise Zone Commission (EZC) was created to revitalize blighted and distressed communities that once were socially and economically vibrant. It offers tax incentives and economic development benefits free from regulatory barriers which inhibit economic growth, and also encourages collaboration among public, private and non-profit entities in order to accomplish the desired objectives.
To assist small businesses in the U.S. Virgin Islands with increasing their revenues through export activities into foreign markets, the VIEDA applies for and manages grant funding through the U.S. Small Business Administration to allow the Territory to participate in the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). The program’s goal is to increase the exporting activities of small-business owners and introduce current small-business exporters to new foreign buyers.
In past grant cycles for STEP, export activities have allowed Virgin Islands' manufacturers and artisans to travel to Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, and Italy, to the largest tradeshows in the U.S., and to several Caribbean islands to meet with potential buyers and expand their business beyond the Territory. USVI STEP will include
The USVIEDA considers themselves as the great connectors, wielding relationships with key players in the public and private sectors, trade associations, and professional groups. To guarantee success in relocation, many companies leverage the USVI’s network to build their partner database and learn from local industry experts on best practices in the Virgin Islands. Connect with us to learn more. (email link)
Part of the USVI’s wide network are local and international investment entities, like venture capital and hedge funds. By connecting with the USVIEDA, we can take your value proposition and put it in front of the entities best suited to furthering your business.
The USVIEDA plays a crucial role as a key link connecting businesses to our outstanding community of local talent. With a robust academic sector and a cluster of top-tier programs to build essential skills in our key industries, the US Virgin Islands boasts a diverse pool of highly skilled professionals. Furthermore, USVIEDA leverages its connections with academic institutions to relay the skills companies need most for further innovation and scalability. This communication ensures a constant pipeline of talent graduating with the most up-to-date skills.
We understand that relocation is a big step for many companies and not one that comes lightly. The USVIEDA team is committed to providing investors with up-to-date industry data and sector knowledge to help them make the most informed decisions.
Using our in-house team and an excellent network of partners, we support companies in finding the real estate option that works best with their business model.
Unlock new horizons within the US Virgin Islands with the business potential our territory offers with the help of the USVI Economic Development Authority.
With tailored tax programs, incentives, financing options and more.
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