BVCOCT

16 17 T he Universityof theVirgin Islands RTPark, (UVI RTPark),theSpecialistEconomicDevel- opmentProgram,has launchedaspecial do- nationappeal tosupport theFundfor theUS Virgin IslandsontheheelsofHurricanes IrmaandMaria. The RTPark’s own headquarters on St.Croix suffered significant exterior and interior damage fromHurri- caneMaria onTuesday,September 19,2017with the building losing its decorativewinged roof and suffer- ing 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 FORTHEVIRGIN ISLANDS,(FFVI),whichhasbeensetup bythenon-for-profitorganization,theCommunityFoun- dationof theVirgin Islands,(CFVI),incollaborationwith USVIDelegate toCongress,Hon.StaceyPlaskett. The RTPark’s immediate goal is to provide financial support for the critical needs of U.S.Virgin Islands residents impacted bybothHurricanes Irma andMaria. These needs include: water,food supplies, clean-up supplies,batteries,lanterns,diapers,baby formula,and tarpaulins. OPENING LINES UVI RTPARK PROGRAMLAUNCHES DONATIONAPPEAL TO SUPPORT FUND FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS “The devastationwreaked byHurricanes Irma and Maria provides a unique opportunity for the U.S.Virgin Islands and thewider Caribbean region to build ca- pacityand undertake amajor program in smart,green resilient technology,”said Executive Director Dr.Gillian Marcelle.“The RTPark is ready tomake amajor contri- bution to this effort as a knowledge hub that brings to- gether the impact investment community,the private sector,governments,and the academic community.” C.KnoxLaSister,CEOof Smart,Inc.added that the islands of the Caribbean,including the U.S.Virgin Islands,must lookat 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 distributionmanagement 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 newenvironment,”he add- ed.