The University of the Virgin Islands RTPark, (UVI RTPark), the Specialist Economic Development Program, has launched a special donation appeal to support the Fund for the US Virgin Islands on the heels of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The RTPark’s own headquarters on St. Croix suffered significant exterior and interior damage from Hurricane Maria on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 with the building losing its decorative winged roof and suffering tremendous water damage to its offices.
But despite its loss, the RTPark, as a good corporate citizen, is pitching in to help by supporting the FUND FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, (FFVI), which has been set up by the non-for-profit organization, the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, (CFVI), in collaboration with USVI Delegate to Congress, Hon. Stacey Plaskett.
The RTPark’s immediate goal is to provide financial support for the critical needs of U.S. Virgin Islands residents impacted by both Hurricanes Irma and Maria. These needs include: water, food supplies, clean-up supplies, batteries, lanterns, diapers, baby formula, and tarpaulins.
“The devastation wreaked by Hurricanes Irma and Maria provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region to build capacity and undertake a major program in smart, green resilient technology,” said Executive Director Dr. Gillian Marcelle. “The RTPark is ready to make a major contribution to this effort as a knowledge hub that brings together the impact investment community, the private sector, governments, and the academic community.”
C. Knox LaSister, CEO of Smart, Inc. added that the islands of the Caribbean, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, must look at making improvements such as: enhancing building codes; changing infrastructure requirements to respond to need for more resilient structural integrity; improving power generation and management systems; and establishing smart water distribution management systems.
“The UVI RTPark, headquartered in St. Croix, is the perfect hub for generating this kind of innovative and strategic thinking; we can find creative and effective solutions necessary in this new environment,” he added.
UVI RTPark Program Launches Donation Appeal to Support Fund for the U.S. Virgin Islands
