The Saint Croix Foundation is seeking financial support from businesses and individuals who wish to invest in the economic development of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Through this fundraising campaign, the Saint Croix Foundation, in partnership with the Small Business Administration, will create opportunities for women in the Virgin Islands through the establishment of the Women's Business Center.
Supporting this project is important to the economic well-being of the Virgin Islands, said Stephanie Hodge, associate executive director of the Saint Croix Foundation.
"Given the financial crisis of the V.I. government and the need to reduce its workforce, the community must pull together and create employment opportunities for itself." Hodge said. "The community understands all too well that the private sector must be developed and the workforce adequately trained to remain competitive. This, coupled with the removal of thousands of women from the welfare system, makes the establishment of the WBC even more critical."
Currently, nearly 40 percent of all U.S. businesses are owned and operated by women, Hodge said.
"We are fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to start our own
center in an effort to address the alarming economic turmoil of our community. The establishment of the Women's Business Center in the Virgin Islands will undoubtedly create vast opportunities for women who account for over half of the total Virgin Islands population," she said.
Hodge said the objectives of the WBC are to: provide an added advantage to those who have traditionally not been well served; leverage financing in ways that work; and provide opportunities for business development, self-employment, self- sufficiency, revitalization and the building of community wealth.
The Foundation's fundraising requirement totals $100,000 every year for the next five years, Hodge said.
"The Saint Croix Foundation implores the community to help us make this project a resounding success," she said.
For more information contact Stephanie Hodge at -340-773-9898.