$3 Million in Infrastructure Funds Will Make Improvements in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Health, Education, Power and Public Safety Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 12, 2014) – Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas
Esther Kia’aina today announced nearly $3 million in grant assistance to the U.S. Virgin Islands 
(USVI) through the Office of Insular Affairs’ (OIA) Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Program. 
Funds will support critical improvements to the territory’s infrastructure.

“These vital infrastructure projects will help boost economic development in the USVI and bolster 
the territory’s health, education, power and public safety systems,” said Assistant Secretary 
Kia’aina. “I am particularly pleased to support the first meaningful expansion to the St. Thomas 
East End Medical Center Corporation clinic, which improves their facility and increases patient 
capacity.

"We realize that these important projects would not be possible without the continued support of 
Congress and local leadership," Kia’aina added. “We are pleased to support Governor John de Jongh 
in this way.”

Grants awarded today were as follows:

• $562,250 for the renovation and expansion of the existing clinic area of the St. Thomas
  East End Medical Center Corporation
• $465,000  to  the  Bureau  of  Corrections  for  refurbishment  of  the  Anna’s  Hope
  Correctional Facility to provide a safe, supervised environment for non-violent offenders
• $52,250  to  the  Bureau  of  Motor  Vehicles  for  rebuilding  the  existing  dilapidated 
  Inspection Lane to reduce the average waiting time of vehicle inspection and registration for 
  customers
• $500,000 to upgrade and enhance the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system at the 
  Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center
• $500,500 to upgrade the electrical system,  replace the medical vacuum system,  and replace the 
  cracked boiler system at the Schneider Regional Medical Center
• $400,000 to repair the roofs of the Juanita Gardine and Pearl B. Larsen Elementary
  School buildings
• $500,000 to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority for the relocation of critical 
  overhead feeders to an underground system in the downtown area of St. Croix to improve pedestrian 
  safety and facilitate quicker power restoration following hurricanes and major wind storms

The Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas carries out the Secretary’s responsibilities for the U.S. 
territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands. Additional responsibilities include administration and oversight 
of federal assistance provided to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and 
Palau under the Compacts of Free Association.

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