Tourism, Infrastructure, and Public Services Take Center Stage in Governor Bryan’s 7th SoTA

Governor Bryan announced a 22% increase in tourism, major infrastructure developments, and over $22.5 billion in disaster recovery funding while addressing issues like crime and economic inflation.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s seventh State of the Territory Address, delivered Monday evening before the 36th Legislature, provided a wide-ranging overview of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ wins over the past year, the territory's current struggles, and plans for the future. His remarks – delayed by two weeks to direct public attention to the swearing-in of the 36th Legislature and then the inauguration of President Donald Trump – covered economic and tourist growth, public infrastructure, education, disaster recovery, crime, healthcare, sustainable development, sports, and allegations of public corruption. Maintaining a generally positive tone throughout, Governor Bryan announced that “the simple truth is that we have made progress —tremendous strides— in the face of new and daunting challenges.”

“We stabilized the Government of the Virgin Islands’ failing pension system, paid hundreds of millions in overdue obligations, and addressed the millions in arrears to the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority,” he said in a synopsis of 2024 major accomplishments.