Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI), released the following statement regarding several grants announced from the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) Technical Assistance Program (TAP).
Technical Assistance Program (TAP) grants are awarded on an annual basis through an application process.
These grants are intended for short-term, non-capital projects and are not meant to supplant local funding of routine operating expenses of an insular government.
TAP priorities include but are not limited to projects which foster development of the insular areas in the following categories: accountability; financial management; economic development; training/education; energy; life; safety and health issues.
“The grants awarded today to the Virgin Islands include the following:
· $270,000 to the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) for the DPNR E-Permitting System project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on March 1, 2019.
· $500,000 to the Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget for the Reconciliation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on February 21, 2019.
· $100,000 to the Virgin Islands DPNR’s Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums (DLAM) for the ADA Awareness Campaign and the Mentorship Program Campaign for Artisans/Persons Seeking Museum Careers/Opportunities, as detailed in the proposal submitted on March 1, 2019.
· $100,000 to the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority for the Rejuvenation of Heritage Properties for the Arts project; as detailed in the proposal submitted on May 1, 2019.
“OIA will also be awarding funding to the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands through the Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP) for the following projects.
· $300,000 to the Virgin Islands DNPR’s DLAM for the Maintenance of AC Units and Generators and Training for Maintenance Staff, as detailed in the proposal submitted on March 1, 2019.
· $202,580 to the Ivana Eudora Kean High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Department for the JROTC Drill Pad Covering project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on May 21, 2019.
“In addition, OIA is also providing Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for the following projects:
• $996,265 for the St. Croix, Frederiksted Road Rehabilitation.
• $323,250 for the Charlotte Amalie Road Rehabilitation.
• $544,485 for the Cruz Bay & Coral Bay Road Rehabilitation.
“These grants will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts making the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes. The United States government and the international community has an obligation to help in the reestablishment of our islands. The grant award is a vital component of that concern,” Plaskett said in the press release.
