Speaking exclusively to our newsroom, Mr Wheatley said the facility “will bring much employment to my district.” It will be a central place where farmers and fisherfolks from Tortola and throughout the Virgin Islands can bring their harvest and catch for sale and where “they will be paid promptly.”

A place for farmers and fisherfolks

The son of the soil also added that other farmers who have poultry, pork, other meats and agricultural products can bring them there daily to sell or even to be purchased for resale by the facility, once it’s set up correctly.

Mr Wheatley, who has deep knowledge and experience of how government works, also noted that his vision for the Red Bay facility is for it to be a central place where supermarkets can go there and make purchases and keep their shelves stocked with local meat, fish, poultry and other local staples.

The Blue Economy

The VIP's Eighth District candidate, who is expected to be confirmed by the Congress this Sunday, February 5, 2023, also stated that this is another move in promoting the Blue Economy. He stated that “the Blue Economy is vital to the next phase of our development.”

He said the "seafood is our Blue Economy, the boating sector is our Blue Economy. In general, anything that has to do with the marine sector is our Blue Economy and it's time that we must start harvesting that in a sustainable way."

The former FS also said: “We must understand the advantage we have with our Blue Economy and do whatever it takes to empower our people.”

Mr Wheatley said over the political campaign he will be bringing more ideas and solutions to the table, as he seeks to represent the people of the Eighth District and the people of the Territory.