Meade Malone is urging that the VI supports local businesses.

“When we begin to look at our consolidation of our economy in the hand of a very few and particularly outside companies, we see the devastating effects that could have if something goes wrong,” Malone stated on talk show ‘Umoja’ on March 15, 2012.

One such downfall was in St. Croix with the closure of Hovensa, and according to the entrepreneur, during his visit to that island “over the last couple of weeks” he learned that an employee’s salary was on average $60,000 per annum.

He also stated that many of the young people told him that they were encouraged to get a good education and get a job with either BUPA, Hovensa or with Government. “Now all three are having their difficulties and Hovensa is leaving the community.”

However, Malone pointed out that the VI needs to take a lesson from St. Croix and preserve what makes the VI unique, that is, to help the local businesses.

“We need to preserve it...let us never ever lose the entrepreneurial spirit in our community, let us encourage it in our young people, let us support those who are in business now, however small. Let us support BVIslanders getting together, doing things, pooling their resources doing things because those are the things that will sustain us in the rough times and propel us in the good times,” he charged.

In giving his two cents on the BiWater issue, the businessman stated that looking at the conversion of what the BiWater deal has put together, the company is concentrating on getting the 2.3M gallons of water in one location.

“...if something goes wrong we are in serious condition. BVI will be in the drop in the bucket if BiWater is to fold,” he added.