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64 65 can run online businesses,”he proffers.“They can experience things they normally couldn’t experi- ence if they didn’t have the internet.” McGibbon also touts viNGN’s dedication to the territory’s population becoming computer savvy via access and education: “My predeces- sor, Dr. Peter Shultz, helped identify various places called ‘community anchor institutions,’ CAPs, and those were 316 locations that were strategic to make viNGN visible to the pub- lic; places like hospitals, government houses, schools, churches, public libraries. Those 316 were all hooked up; they all have routers. And it’s been very successful. And throughout the islands, there are 33 public computer centers (PPCs). They are located in libraries, community centers, churches, and those are open to the public. Most of them offer free WiFi services so people can either come in with their own devic- es or they can log onto the computers that were purchased with the federal grant money.” For the 70 percent of the people in the USVI that don’t have their own personal computers, VIRGIN ISLANDS NEXT GENERATION NETWORK There are reasons why the U.S. Virgin Islands are considered America’s Business Paradise – the loca- tion, the scenery, the weather – but most of all it is a place of promise, prosperity and opportunity. The island chain’s location makes it a strategic location for business; its proximity to North and South Amer- ica, easy access to Europe and all the benefits of the United States make it a prime global hub for world- wide business. The USVI also provides more than 52,000 skilled workers at a competitive labor cost, a solid connec- tion to a global financial network and world-class transportation systems. And the business incentives are like no other: there are 90% federal corporate and personal income tax exemptions; a 100% exemp- tion on business property taxes, gross receipt taxes, and excise taxes; the imported goods customs duty is cut to 1% and there are no local or territorial taxes. Oh, and you get to work in a tropical paradise. But it might not be such a place without the dedica- tion and service of the USVI Economic Development Authority, a one-stop shop that supports companies establishing operations in the territory. The EDA pro- vides information needed to help you make the right decision about expanding into the islands, and offers access and support with real estate, government regulations, financial and accounting support, human resources, supply chain and logistics and much more. The EDA can coordinate project and site visits, facilitate he application process for tax benefits and provide ongoing company support - making the Authority the heart of a support system of all sectors of the community, public and private. Seize the opportunities made possible by the EDA, build and sustain a foundation – and watch your dream of prosperity turn into reality. WWW.USVIEDA.ORG