Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis announces that the Virgin Islands Geospatial Information Council (VIGIC) has received a $50,000 competitive grant from the Federal Geographic Data Committee for the development of a strategic plan to build the Territory’s Spatial Data Infrastructure.

VIGIC was one of only eight (8) states this year to receive this grant which is awarded to 10 states annually. In the quarterly VIGIC General Committee meeting held Wednesday by videoconference on both UVI Campuses, VIGIC co-chair Dr. Theresa Anduze-Parris said the award was indicative of VIGIC’s commitment to move forward with continued implementation of GIS (Geographical Information System) in the Territory.

“It is an amazing achievement to receive this award on our first attempt,” said Dr. Anduze-Parris, who is also GIS Coordinator for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. “This award will be instrumental to our continued growth and will be used to hire personnel to organize GIS data and help out with VIGIC’s operational expenses.”

Dr. Anduze-Parris noted that this was the first award of funds given to the Council, which was created by Executive Order in 2006 to mandate collaboration and coordination across governmental agencies on geospatial technology and information sharing.

“We especially want to thank Lt. Governor Francis for his full support in helping us to apply for and win this grant,” Dr. Anduze-Parris said. She also thanked her VIGIC co-chair Stevie Henry and the University of the Virgin Islands for their active participation.

Also discussed in the meeting was the 2008 GIS Conference which will be held in November on St. Croix. Dr. Anduze-Parris said the planning has already started and they hope for another successful event