8000 Nisky Center, Suite 620 
St. Thomas, VI 00802 
340-714-1700 
www.usvieda.org 
info@usvieda.org 
116 King Street, Frederiksted 
St. Croix, VI 00840 
340-773-6499 
 
Economic Development 
Bank 
Enterprise Zone Commission 
Economic Development Park 
Corporation 
Economic Development 
Commission 
 
 
June 5, 2026 
 
Honorable Novelle E. Francis, Jr.  
Chairman, Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance  
36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands 
St. Croix, VI  00820 
 
Dear Senator Francis, Jr.:  
 
Please excuse the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (“VIEDA”) team from the 
June 8, 2026 hearing regarding Bill No. 36-0273 An act amending Act No. 8465 redirecting the 
appropriation from the First-Time Homebuyers Program to the Williams Delight Community 
Homeownership Program and the VI Slice Homeownership Program, and accept the attached 
document as my testimony to be read into the legislative record. 
 
I will be out of the Territory from June 6th through June 14th, 2026 on a previously scheduled 
VIEDA business trip. Mr. Dwayne A. Benjamin, Sr., Assistant Chief Executive Officer, has a 
conflict in his schedule. On June 8th, he is required to attend a special Virgin Islands Economic 
Development Commission (“VIEDC”) Governing Board meeting to address a time sensitive 
matter – the sale of Carambola Hotel. Ms. Monique Samuel, Managing Director, Economic 
Development Bank for the United States Virgin Islands is currently out of the Territory. 
 
Should you or any other senators have any questions relative to my written testimony, I would 
be happy to answer them in writing upon my return to the office. 
 
Thank you for your understandin, cooperation, and continued support.  
 
Respectfully, 
 
 
Wayne L. Biggs, Jr.  
Chief Executive Officer  
 
 
cc:  
Dwayne A. Benjamin, Sr., Assistant Chief Executive Officer/VIEDA 
 
Monique Samuel, Managing Director, Economic Development Bank/VIEDA 
 
K’Nisha Gumbs, Loan/Collection Officer/VIEDA 
Kelly Thompson Webbe, Chief Financial Officer/VIEDA 
 
Encl.