USVI – The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA) and the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park (UVI RTPark) partnered to showcase the U.S. Virgin Islands as a strategic investment destination at the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit, held recently at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, SelectUSA connects global businesses and investors with economic development organizations from across the U.S. The 2026 summit brought together more than 5,500 attendees from 100 countries and 55 U.S. States and Territories.
VIEDA and UVI RTPark collaborated as Gold Sponsors of the summit, bringing together two of the Territory’s leading economic development organizations to promote the U.S. Virgin Islands’ investment advantages. The delegation was led by VIEDA Chief Executive Officer Wayne L. Biggs, Jr. and UVI RTPark Executive Director Eric Sonnier, with representatives from both organizations engaging global leaders, prospective investors, business representatives and site selectors throughout the event.
Together, the VIEDA and UVI RTPark teams engaged with approximately 60 investment leads during the summit, with discussions spanning technology, trade, manufacturing, hospitality, professional services and other sectors aligned with the Territory’s economic development priorities.
“SelectUSA gives the U.S. Virgin Islands a valuable platform to share our investment story directly with decision makers who are actively exploring where to grow,” said CEO Wayne L. Biggs, Jr. “Through our partnership with the UVI RTPark, we presented a stronger message about the Territory’s tax incentives, strategic location, workforce and business climate.”
The USVI team highlighted the Territory’s advantages as a U.S. jurisdiction in the Caribbean with access to U.S., Caribbean and Latin American markets. Representatives also promoted tax incentive programs administered by VIEDA and the UVI RTPark that may reduce corporate income tax, customs duties, and other business related taxes for eligible companies while supporting job creation, workforce development and local economic activity.
“SelectUSA provided an important opportunity to position the U.S. Virgin Islands as a place where technology, innovation and investment can thrive,” said UVI RTPark Executive Director Eric Sonnier. “Our collaboration with VIEDA allowed us to present a unified message to investors about the Territory’s readiness to support businesses seeking a competitive U.S. location with Caribbean and global reach.”
VIEDA promoted several of its core investment programs, including the Economic Development Commission Tax Incentive Program, the Hotel Development Program, and the South Shore Trade Zone Program, designed to create jobs and diversify the economy by growing sectors such as hospitality/tourism, agribusiness, manufacturing, and professional services. The UVI RTPark highlighted its role in supporting technology-driven and knowledge-based companies seeking to establish or expand operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with an emphasis on unique opportunities for niche enterprises and industries, such as cybersecurity, clean energy, and HUBZone certified businesses.
The team also emphasized the Territory’s logistics advantages, including its permanent exemption from the Jones Act, which allows greater flexibility in maritime shipping. As a jurisdiction located outside the U.S. customs zone the Territory may also offer customs and trade planning advantages for certain business operations.
The team also promoted the upcoming Africa-U.S. Virgin Islands Trade and Investment Summit, led by the Office of the Governor in partnership with VIEDA and the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. The summit is scheduled for July 23-25, 2026, at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef on St. Thomas.
VIEDA and UVI RTPark’s joint participation in SelectUSA supports Vision 2040, the Territory’s long-term economic development strategy, by helping advance investment in priority sectors such as technology, agribusiness, manufacturing and assembly, trade, and hospitality.
To learn more about VIEDA’s programs, contact [email protected] or for more information about the UVI RTPark, contact [email protected].
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