OIA Announces $2.5 Million in TAP Grants for the U.S. Virgin Islands

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs today announced $2,485,000 in fiscal year 2024 Technical Assistance Program (TAP) funding to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) to purchase needed medical equipment, train youth for employment, and train utility employees in energy grid management and integration across power sources.  

“Funding to the U.S. Virgin Islands this year will help youth develop employable skills, train utility employees in energy grid and integration with renewable sources, purchase needed medical equipment, and help non-profit organizations develop local expertise in grants and project management,” said Carmen G. Cantor, Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs. “Through these awards, the TAP program continues to make a difference for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands by supporting small but impactful programs in the Insular Areas.”

Funding provided through the Office of Insular Affairs TAP program will support the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands for the following project:

• Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency - $285,000 will help provide updates to the Audio-Visual technology at the Emergency Operations Center.

The Office of Insular Affairs is also providing $2,200,000 to fund semi-autonomous agencies, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations with projects designed to benefit the USVI as follows:

• Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority - $500,000 for a Renewable Integration and Smart Grid Training Development Program to train personnel in managing and maintaining the current power grid, including developing smart microgrids through the integration of renewable energy, battery storage systems, and smart grid controls.
• Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority - $500,000 for the Power Generation Training and Development Program, tailored to provide power plant employees with the technical expertise and hands-on training required to carry out their responsibilities. The utility is currently completing installation of three reciprocating internal engines and plans to incorporate new wind and solar power sources to the energy grid in the territory.
• Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center - $400,000 for Reinforcing the Capabilities of Imaging and Diagnostics at a Sole Community Hospital - Nuclear Medicine Unit, to purchase state-of-the-art nuclear medicine imaging equipment, which will enable healthcare providers to accurately diagnose and treat various diseases, including cancer, heart conditions, and neurological disorders.
• Future Job Skills of Tomorrow - $400,000 for the Workforce Development Project to create an apprenticeship collaborative with Gold Coast Yachts in St. Croix and build long-term sustainable employment opportunities in marine construction for local youth. The new project will offer training and certification in carpentry, masonry, electrical skills, upholstery, and joinery.
• St. Croix Foundation for Community Development - $200,000 for Civic Sector Capacity Building for Resilience, which is a program designed to increase the capacity of St. Croix’s nonprofit organizations to respond to and plan for imminent threats and urgent needs facing the St. Croix community through strengthened grant writing, project management, and financial management training and workshops.
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officials - $200,000 for the USVI Interagency Business Process Improvement: Sustaining Gains Project. While past funding supported the creation of a new federal grant planning and setup process for the territorial government, current funding is provided to ensure the successful implementation of the new process through the continued management of the Community of Practice.

The Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. The OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the Insular Areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

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