A strong Virgin Islands economy should create opportunity for the people who live and work here. A Roach Francis Administration will focus on four priorities: helping local businesses grow, ensuring Virgin Islanders benefit from major investments, preparing our workforce for the jobs of the future, and building a more affordable and sustainable economy. From Day One, we will take practical steps to support entrepreneurship, strengthen local industries, and keep more economic opportunity in the Virgin Islands.

Locals first on the rebuild and we mean it.

First 100 Days

• Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, yet too many entrepreneurs struggle to access capital, compete for government contracts, and navigate government processes. At the same time, millions of dollars leave our economy every year while local businesses are left on the sidelines.

• We will focus on fully deploying available small business financing programs, strengthen opportunities for local contractors, enforce local participation requirements on public projects, and modernize business registration so entrepreneurs can start and grow businesses more easily.

  A stronger small business sector means more jobs, more local ownership, and more wealth staying in the Virgin Islands.

Keep Virgin Islands Dollars Working for Virgin Islanders.

First 100 Days

• The Virgin Islands is experiencing a historic period of federal investment and reconstruction. These projects should create opportunities for local workers, contractors, and businesses.

• We will enforce local hiring and contracting requirements, support workforce development tied directly to industry demand, strengthen apprenticeship opportunities, and position major economic assets such as the South Shore Trade Zone to create jobs and attract investment.

  Economic growth should create opportunity for the people who call these islands home.

Prepare Our Workforce for Tomorrow's Jobs.

• The economy is changing rapidly, and our workforce must be prepared to compete. Too many employers struggle to find skilled workers while too many residents struggle to find pathways into good-paying careers.

• We will align workforce training with high-demand industries, expand apprenticeships, support digital business development, attract remote-work opportunities, and strengthen partnerships among employers, schools, training providers, and the University of the Virgin Islands.

  When people have the skills employers need, families earn more and businesses grow.

Build an Economy Families Can Afford.

• Many families and businesses face rising costs while our Territory remains heavily dependent on imported goods and vulnerable to economic disruptions. At the same time, retirees, farmers, and working families need policies that help them build financial security.

• We will pursue fair tax reform, provide relief for small businesses, protect retirement security, strengthen local agriculture, expand food production, and support initiatives that make the Virgin Islands more self-sufficient and resilient.

  A stronger economy is measured by whether families can afford to live, work, retire, and build a future in the Virgin Islands.