Home Depot on STX??

The STX Home Depot hasn't been built yet

Won't be open on STX until 2012 according to my source.

Would anyone know the best way to apply for a job at that HD before it is built without already being on the island as well?
Do they do job fairs prior to opening just for people on the island?

Brrrrrrrrrrr is it cold here in SW Florida this morning!!!!!!
Casey

This is Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders. That Home Depot is supposed to bring jobs for Virgin Islanders, not mainlanders who want to come here and box food out of our mouths.

WOW, imissmydog, what was that about? Casey, to answer your question, you could contact HD corporate and see about applying. There would be no way to apply here. This is assuming it actually gets built.

Yes Linda,that was rather rude,wasn't it ?

Seems kind of counterproductive to be on a "moving to the VI" message board if you're opposed to people moving here. A capitalist economy means that everyone's out for themselves. Employers will hire the person who provides the best value for the company--the best qualifications for the job at the employer's price point--and workers will take the job that meets their needs. If you're getting passed over for jobs in favor of people from the mainland, that's not anyone else's fault. That just means you're not the best fit for the employer's needs. No one is entitled to a job just because of geographic proximity.

With many of the companies getting huge tax benefits to relocate here I do not think it is too far out of line to hold them to hiring locally 1st.

Maybe tomorrow Mon.

That Home Depot is supposed to bring jobs to people who want to work for a better Virgin Islands. Typically those people are not the entitlement minded loafers who ride the backs of hardworking visionary labor leaders, activists and civic promoters, clamoring for handouts on the basis of natal geography.

If Home Depot received benefits from the USVI EDC, there is a residency requirement for employment of locals.:-o

That jobs available to all Americans is not true, or did you forget about "Affirmative action".

If Home Depot didn't apply for EDC benefits someone in that company has missed the gravy train.

EDC companies do hire non-locals. When I was hired at my present job I'd only been on-island for 7 months. They asked when I had moved to STX and noted that carefully. The HR director said that a certain percentage (sorry, I don't know what the percentage is) of the employees MUST be residents for at least one year. After I'd been here for a year, she could count me in that percentage.

I do know that jobs in hospitality go begging. Even under present economic conditions, my employer is trying to hire certain categories of employees and failing to find candates.

LindaJ,
There is no set percentage for non local hire. There are procedures in place that the New EDC Company or an Existing Company that has qualified for EDC benefits must follow, to insure that all available means were used to HIRE locals and the position could not be filled by Locals.:S

To be eligible for EDC benefits a company must...

"Provide full-time employment for at least 10 residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands who have resided in the V.I. at least one year prior to being hired by the tax beneficiary. "

This is Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders. That Home Depot is supposed to bring jobs for Virgin Islanders, not mainlanders who want to come here and box food out of our mouths.

WOW!!!! I thought this was a place where people could post a question and get a friendly response.

I can't imagine HD as an EDC. For instance, K-marts are not EDCs, though most hotels are. Vitelco is, but they do not buy the amount of product from elsewhere that a retail operation does...EDC companies have very specific employment requirements, and these are company-specific, outlined in their certificate, which is a contract between the USVI gov't (signed by the governor) and the company....it will outline exactly how many resident, full time, employees they must employ as a minimum, all year round, what minimum benefits they must receive, and what exemptions the company will receive, such as real property taxes, income, excise, etc. 80% of management must be VI residents....the company is free to hire more than their required number of employees from whereever, but they cannot fall below their minimum number.
The investor/company must be a USVI company...and the investor must be a resident. The required capital investment is set forth...and procurement regulations require the EDC to buy all goods and services from eligible VI companies (not just any VI company) or justify purchasing from an off-island source, according to specific criteria/procedures. (this would be everything they sell in the store, as well as everything needed to run the business). The required charitable contribution amounts are specified, as to amounts and the category or specific area which the company is allowed to support through their donations. There are quarterly and annual reporting requirements, and the VI gov't employs compliance officers who oversee and periodically audit beneficiaries--or at least that is how it is supposed to be run.
Certain businesses and categories of businesses can do very well under the EDC program...it can be a real bonanza...but a business like HD..can't see how their requirements could adapt to fit the program...

Home Depot is not the developer of this project but the Anchor Tenant. The project is owned by Caribbean Development Partners and headed by Local Developer Jim Watson. Governor DeJongh approved the final documents in late September 2009 for EDC increment financing. Construction financing by 1st Bank. Tax advantages were given to the developer and all Tenants will benefit the tax advantages and must follow the EDC Guidelines required of the Developer. That would include new jobs e;)tc.

Isn't Hovensa - which was Hess Oil, an EDC company? Did Leon Hess live here in the VI?

The residency laws were changed when the treasurer Dept tightened up on the Hedge funds.:S

Note that to be a resident you don't have to be born here or anything like that. You do have to be on island 183 days per year as a minimum though along with a few other things. Most EDC companies get a certain number of non-resident's. If you are going to be working at the HD you will likely establish residency here during your first year. HD could hire you in January and probably count you as a resident for that year as you will have met the 183 days test etc. It's really not that hard or cumbersome to comply with residency requirements in a job like the ones Home Depot will be offering, its not like employees are going to be flying in from somewhere else to work at the store!

Imissmy dog, what about the money those who come here will be spending here? They will spend that here mostly putting food in our mouths rather than "boxing it out of them." That money spent = jobs for others (often locals) so just the HD brings people in from outside the territory doesn't mean those of us who live here don't benefit.

Sean

Before someone states that I am opposed to Home Depot or WalMart coming to the islands, certainly prices will be cheaper for the products they carry in their stores but for all the jobs that will be created those same jobs will be eliminated by local businesses selling the same services, Could anyone mention one case where bringing in a Home Depot did not hurt existin small businesses that sell the same product, this is even more exemplified with the addition of a Wall Mart. Many people talk about maintaining some sense of a VI culture, well when these mega box stores come in the first thing that leaves a community is any sort of cultural distinction, that's why they are called big box stores, they are all identical you don't know if you are chicago,dallas or Boston, they are all the same. Once again I am not saying I am against them, I just want people to realize what will eventually occur. Sometimes you have to be careful of what you wish for.

So, if the jobs created balance out the jobs eliminated, AND the prices are cheaper, sounds like a win, unless you happen to own a hardward store. You don't hear too much about maintaining the VI culture on this forum. Not suggesting we shouldn't, just this audience seems to be more about bringing stateside to the VI. Myself included, often, though I try not to, and remind myself all the time that these islands were here long before I got here. I'm all for Home Depot, and anything else that brings more vibrant economy to the islands. Look what Diageo has done for Cruzan! For those who don't know what I'm talking about, the Diageo Rum Distillery has goosed long time local business Cruzan Rum along, with the blessing of the government, to upgrade their facility. All good!

Good point, as far as it goes. But in the case of HD, who would they impact? Consider that their closest competition will be Carib Home Ctr which is a "big box store" from PR...hardly a cultural icon.