Economic Development Week was created by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2016. To increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and improve communities’ quality of life everywhere, we have continued the tradition. Over the last six years, 450+ campaigns have been made throughout the United States and Canada. EDOs have created millions of impressions, hundreds of news stories, blog entries, videos, events and other activities. Campaigns occurred in all 50 American states in 2019, with more than 60 communities officially proclaiming Economic Development Week.

During Economic Development Week, May 9-13, the VIEDA will launch a series of videos that will highlight local economic developers across varying sectors, including the University of the Virgin Islands, the VI Small Business Development Center, Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism, SEAT Caribbean Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center and more. These highlights include how agencies have aligned with Vision 2040 and efforts in implementing, the 20-year economic plan for the Territory.

The VIEDA will also be nationally launching a 40-minute panel - hosted by Wayne L. Biggs, Jr, chief executive officer of the VIEDA - featuring local experts in targeted sectors including, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Hospitality, and Professional Services.

To participate in this virtual celebration, visit the VIEDA’s social media pages for daily releases, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, & Twitter and the VIEDA's website at www.usvieda.org starting May 9.

• SBA Webinar Tuesday: Government Contracting 101 with VI SBDC on May 10 at 11 a.m. We help you understand the federal contracting process, so you can find and win contracts with the federal government. Join SBA PR/USVI District Office Representatives as they share this information. Register here.
• USVI Financial Literacy Series: Accounting 101 on May 12 at 11 a.m. with VI SBDC. Learn basic bookkeeping knowledge so you can: Understand basic accounting terminology; Identify the differences between the cash and accrual accounting methods; Keep track of your business by becoming familiar with accounts payable and receivables; Use a journal and general ledger to document business financials; Utilize the balance sheet; Identify different types of financial statements; Understand the payroll process and employer responsibilities; Uncover the reasons for and actually create a budget; and become familiar with internal and external auditing. Listen as a financial professional from FirstBank explains the basics you should know about accounting. A question and answer segment is inlcuded. Presenter: Valdamier Collens, SVP & USVI Business Director. Register here.
• USVI Financial Literacy Series: Applying for a Business Loan on May 19 at 11 a.m. with VI SBDC. How do you build excellent business credit? What are lenders looking for when providing funding? What’s the importance of a business plan? All of these are important questions that you have probably considered at some point while starting or growing your business. Join this webinar and learn from a Banking professional the steps you need to take to obtain funding. Hear about the significance of a business plan as well as the five “Cs” of credit and the importance of building both excellent business credit as well as maintaining good personal credit. A question and answer segment is inlcuded. Presenter: Sharmane Brookes, VP & Commercial Business Mgr. & FB Commercial Lending Team. Register here.
• USVI Business Resiliency Series: Effective Marketing in 2022 with VI SBDC on May 20 at 11 a.m. Are you able to identify the difference between traditional marketing vs social media presence? Learn the essentials of advertising locally to stay in business. Topics to be discussed include networking, estabishing online presence, basic web design, managing multiple social media platforms at once and the overall impact of effective marketing. Register here.
• SBA Webinar Tuesday: Disaster Preparedness with VI SBDC on May 24 at 11 a.m. Get help, plans and templates to prepare for natural disasters, to ensure business continuity in times of uncertainty. Join SBA PR/USVI District Office Representatives as they share this information. Register here.
• Financial Literacy Series: Fundamentals of Credit on May 26 at 11 a.m. with VI SBDC. Credit – what is credit? How do we use it? It is important to understand the benefit and responsibilities of credit and how to manage it wisely. Listen as a financial professional from FirstBank explains how to use credit in a safe and responsible way and the impact it has on your financial future. These tips and best practices can guide you in the right direction towards healthy credit. A question and answer segment is included. Presenter: Sharmane Brookes, VP & Commercial Business Mgr. & FB Commercial Lending Team. Register here.
• 2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series - Strategic Planning: The Key to Success on June 1 at 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. You will learn from small business experts the steps to start and grow a successful small business. A strategic plan is critical to the success of an individual or an organization because it guides their action plan. This webinar is designed to help business owners and potential business owners create an action-oriented strategic plan for their business/business idea to help them achieve success. Attendees will learn techniques about and review examples of the three major sections of a strategic plan. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.
• SBA Webinar Tuesday: HUBZone Certification with VI SBDC on June 7 at 11 a.m. Did you know that the USVI is a designated HUBZone? The HUBZone program fuels small business growth in historically underutilized business zones with a goal of awarding at least 3% of federal contract dollars to HUBZone-certified companies each year. Join SBA PR/USVI District Office Representatives as they share this information. Register here.
• 2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series: Registering Your Business Name on June 8 at 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. You will learn from small business experts the steps to start and grow a successful small business. In addition to having a business license and filing your tax returns there is an additional step to being in good standing with your business obligations. Ms. Denise Johannes, Director of the Division of Corporations and Trademarks, Office of the Lt. Governor will discuss the who, what, where, when and how to keep your business in good standing. After the presentation there will be a time for questions and answers. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.
• 2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series: Becoming an Employer: Registering Your Business with the VIDOL on June 15 at 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. You will learn from small business experts the steps to start and grow a successful small business. Join the VI Department of Labor as they teach small business owners how to transition from being an employee to becoming an employer. Learn how to post job vacancies, fair employment, providing a safe working environment, and the resources available for employers at the VIDOL. After the presentation there will be a time for questions and answers. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.
• SBA Webinar Tuesday: Deep Dive into Learning Resources from www.sba.gov with VI SBDC on June 21 at 11 a.m. SBA's online learning programs are designed to empower and educate small business owners every step of the way. Learn more about ASCENT, Boots to Business and Emerging Leaders, among others. Join SBA PR/USVI District Office Representatives as they share this information. Register here.
• 2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series: DLCA: USVI Small Business Licensing Process on June 22 at 11 a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. Join the VIDLCA as they educate small business owners on the new "General Business License" that the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) has instituted to facilitate a new business getting started in the Virgin Islands. Learn what requirements, applications and processes a small business owner needs to be aware of when connecting to the VIDLCA for a business license or a renewal of the business license. The DLCA staff will enlighten you on the streamlined and electronic forms of submission. Come prepared to get your questions answered. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.
• 2022 USVI Entrepreneurial Series: Understanding the Basics of Continuity on June 29 at 11a.m. Join us for a FREE Entrepreneurial Workshop hosted by AARP in The Virgin Islands in collaboration with VI SBDC. Join the VI SBDC Advisor, Raymond V. Henry to discuss business resiliency. Small business owners should always evaluate risk, have a plan and implement the plan to stay in business. Learn the basics to quickly adapt to disruptions while maintaining continuous operations and safeguarding people, assets and overall brand loyalty. There will be a question-and-answer segment. Registration is required to obtain the link to log in to the event. This event is FREE and open to the general public 18 years of age and older. The workshops will be held virtually on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register here.