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1,039 businesses approved for stimulus grants; D4 gets lion's share

-10 additional MSMEs benefiting from $40K UNDP grant
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) speaking at the launch ceremony said COVID-19 has caused and continue to cause significant economic impacts on workers and on businesses, hence, Government’s move to make the funds available to businesses. Photo: Facebook/GIS
For security reasons, the businesses receiving grants will not be named; however, Director for Trade, Karia J. Christopher noted that businesses will be contacted to uplift their cheques. Photo: Facebook/GIS
For security reasons, the businesses receiving grants will not be named; however, Director for Trade, Karia J. Christopher noted that businesses will be contacted to uplift their cheques. Photo: Facebook/GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola VI – Some 1,039 businesses in the Virgin Islands will now receive small business grants through a COVID-19 stimulus plan aimed at boosting businesses that may have had difficulties in meeting operational expenditures as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The payments of those grants, aimed at Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise businesses (MSMEs) and piloted by Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), was launched this morning, September 14, 2020.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), speaking at the launch ceremony, said COVID-19 has caused and continue to cause significant economic impacts on workers and on businesses, hence, Government’s move to make the funds available to businesses.

With payments set to be paid in batches due to the volume, the breakdown of funds are as follows, based on a percentage of losses in the businesses, the Premier said.

District Grants approved

District 1: 68 Businesses - $399,219
District 2: 102 Business - $598, 140
District 3: 91 Businesses - $548,825
DIstrcit 4: 280 Businesses - $1,665,565
District 5: 68 Businesses - $404,063
District 6: 113 Businesses - $644,273
District 7: 59 Businesses - $354,748
District 8: 90 Businesses - $518,600
District 9: 169 Businesses - $1,005,384

For security reasons, the businesses receiving the grants will not be named, the Premier said.

Director of Trade Karia J. Christopher noted that businesses will be contacted to uplift their cheques. She also said persons with missing information, including bank details, are to submit those to the department urgently because cheques will not be given if banking details are not confirmed.

Premier Fahie further added, “I urge our businesses to ensure that these funds are used to create a lasting impact and lasting benefit on your operations,” noting that the idea is to get money flowing in the economy once more.

10 food operators receiving UNDP grants

Businesses benefiting from the grant include security services, taxi operators on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, boat operators and other small businesses such as hoteliers and those working to secure the borders.

Some 1,423 businesses applied for grants.

Meanwhile, 10 additional MSMEs classified as food operators will receive $4,000 each as part of a $40,000 grant given by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Government.

17 Responses to “1,039 businesses approved for stimulus grants; D4 gets lion's share”

  • BVI (15/09/2020, 09:18) Like (13) Dislike (20) Reply
    And they have the urge to complain that gov't aint doing nothing to help them. Great job Hon. Fahie. Keep up the great work. 4 more years in office.
    • Cut deep (15/09/2020, 10:10) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
      @local boy - they’re all doing so because of the local girl who’s the host of C** D**P who’s always look for reasons to bash the Government instead of looking for weak spots to help establish a stronger government. The VIP jamming even though I’m not one of the approvals.
  • rattie (15/09/2020, 09:32) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    Thank god for the vip
    • @rattie (15/09/2020, 12:23) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply
      They put us in this position so they HAVE TO DO IT ! Buh thanks y’all need to wake up
  • Stimulus (15/09/2020, 10:14) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    Only businesses y'all looking out for, where is the residences pockettulus? Vip what
  • 4 District (15/09/2020, 10:53) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    We deserve it. Its about time
  • Full control (15/09/2020, 10:58) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    If we could of gone out and work for our money we wouldn’t of had to depend on them but this is what they wanted not only this government but globally, they want us to be reliant on them giving us a check, so that they can have full control over us... When you have to rely on someone to put food on your table just know they got you where they want you
  • But what?? (15/09/2020, 11:55) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what about us the working class...we work and contributed and apply way before all those businesses and how come we cannot get an answer yet to say whether our application was approved or rejected.
  • @4District (15/09/2020, 12:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree wid u. We need a housing development for the ppl in Crablot and Long Bush. VIP can do that for u 2.
  • Tadow (15/09/2020, 15:17) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Premier Fahie and government, Madam Christopher and staff. I/We appreciate it a million.
  • 1st District (15/09/2020, 16:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just like how that money 8s listed, the district representative cash purse SHOULD be listed. We want to see how OUR money is being spent!
  • great (15/09/2020, 17:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just hope these business owners who receive this money uses it to pay employees and keep businesses afloat not go buy big ride and boats. See a number of persons in the US who received PPP being arrested for using the money to buy luxury items not used for the business. Also employees should be paid enough so they should not have to receive unemployment.
  • Hmm (15/09/2020, 17:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what happen to the big businesses that are closed whose staff are laid off. I am talking about tourism businesses who are depending on the borders to reopens. Their staff are laid off for over 6 months now and cannot get anything.
  • ?? (15/09/2020, 17:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @stimulus i agree wid u. I out of work for six months now. Have three children to feed and bills running over.
  • voter (15/09/2020, 18:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The businesses gets grant what about parents who have more than one child struggling to make payments loans, grocery internet electricity etc most resent text books if i have to buy text books they better be used because last term the books were hardly used and some of have it hard we have to choose which commitment to commit too
  • money man (15/09/2020, 18:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You think I going pay my employees or pump that lil money into my business. Haha I going buy my next boat ,pick up truck and a nice Gucci chain
  • Goreal (21/09/2020, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who these businesses or cause i wait and waiting jus a heep of lies, any one who actually sufferin and get something take a pic and say thanks so we the people can kno. Alot of words with no action


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