Mr Meade W. Malone speaks during the launch of the VI Restoration Foundation. Photo: Provided

Premier, Dr the Honourable, D. Orlando Smith, endorsed the VI Restoration Foundation initiative. Photo: Provided

The registered non-profit organisation, lists among its objectives, assisting in the restoration of businesses impacted by natural disasters; supporting training for restoration and sustainable growth; providing grant funding for purchase of equipment and inventory lost due to natural disasters; and providing partial and full grants for access to membership in co-working spaces for periods not exceeding one year.

Its mission, according to founder, Mr Meade W. Malone, is to help in restoring VI businesses adversely impacted by natural disasters.

Malone also heads the Board of Trustees for the group which also sees representation from an impressive group of outstanding private sector leaders.

These include Mr Ray Wearmouth of Ogier, Ms Lorna G. Smith OBE, of L.G.S. & Associates, and Ms Sharon Flax-Brutus, of the BVI Tourist Board.

Foundation Gets Premier’s Endorsement  

Mr Malone used the occasion of the launching ceremony, to stress the importance of making entrepreneurship the third economic pillar of the VI—a cause he has championed for some time through various other initiatives.

Premier, Dr the Honourable, D. Orlando Smith (AL)—present for the official launch—offered a resounding endorsement of the initiative and noted that Mr Malone has been an excellent partner with the government in helping to pioneer innovation and entrepreneurship for the country. 

Mrs Smith in brief remarks commended “Meade for what he’s been doing for the last few years, in making sure that the entrepreneurial spirit remains alive and well,”

According to Mrs Smith, it was encouraging to see that the VI has been rebuilding better and differently. She noted too, that there has been an upsurge seen in the opening of restaurants in addition to an improved quality of service offered by the businesses following the passage of the two devastating category five hurricanes that laid waste to the territory in September 2017.

The official launching ceremony also featured entrepreneurs, Mr Akeem Lennard and Ms Alexandra Durante, who used the occasion to speak to the impacts the hurricanes on their respective businesses and their road to recovery.

Ms Durante also spoke to the resiliency of entrepreneurs in the territory, and the need for “a little help” as they move forward in playing their role in the economic recovery of the Territory.