Message from Governor John P. deJongh, Jr.

My Administration is firmly committed to supporting economic development in the United States Virgin Islands.  We boast a strong and rapidly growing economy that is evident with an unprecedented influx of buisness development to our islands on a daily basis.  We are unique and our beloved Territory offers many benefits:

• We use U.S. Currency and have the protection of the U.S. flag and U.S. courts.
• Manufacturers have duty-free, quota-free access to the U.S. mainland with "Made in the USA" labels on many types.
• Our Economic Development Commission benefits help qualifying companies reduce their taxes and increase their profits and rivals any benefits package across the globe.
• We boast the opportunity to conduct business in one of the world's most beautiful natural environments with splendid panoramic views, gorgeous sand-filled beaches, world-class resort hotels and oceanside golf courses.

Tax benefits and various incentives are only a part of the reason that one should engage in business initiatives on our beautiful shores.  We also offer an educated, multi-skilled work force with a unique and superior quality of life.  For service businesses and light, non-polluting manufacturers, our people, lifestyle, natural beauty and our pro-growth policies make the U.S.V.I. a wonderful business location.

                                                                                                                                                                Come join us and see for yourself that the climate for business development is ever increasing and the prospect for economic explosion has never been brighter.  Together we will secure, nourish and improve business relations for future generations.

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Statement of Purpose

The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (EDA) is a semi-autonomous government instrumentality responsible for the promotion and enhancement of economic development in the United States Virgin Islands.  It has five major components, to wit, the Government Development Bank, the Economic Development Commission, the Industrial Park Development Corporation, the Small Business Development Agency and the Enterprise Zone program.

The purpose of the Economic Development Authority is to act as an umbrella authority that assumes, integrates and unites the functions of the aforementioned agencies under one executive board in order to achieve maximum efficiency of operations, avoid duplication of services, positions and responsibilities, reduce expenses for personnel, physical plant and operations, and develop comprehensive programs for the economic development of the Territory by exercising the powers and duties of all four former entities, in conjunction with one another, and in the context of the overall goal of promoting and enhancing the economic development of the Territory.