EDA, Property and Procurement defend 2025 budget requests

ST. CROIX — Lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee heard Thursday from representatives of the last two government agencies testifying on behalf of their 2025 budgets.

The Economic Development Authority, which encompasses the Economic Development Bank, the Economic Development Commission, the Enterprise Zone Commission and the Economic Development Park Corporation — defended a $6,613,000 allocation for the coming fiscal year, the same level of funding it received in 2024.

Right off the bat, Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory, who chairs the Finance Committee, noted the importance of the program, but said it was never the intent that the EDA would have its operational expenses covered by the general fund. Frett-Gregory expressed openness to considering a legislative solution.

“While the number is small, we do know that our tax base is also small,” she said. “So we have to figure out all the ways possible to ensure that we are utilizing our general fund in the most effective and efficient manner.”