Autism provider seeks EDC support for territorywide expansion

Tropical Behavioral Services asked the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission to approve tax benefits that the St. Croix provider says would help it expand autism and behavioral-health services to St. Thomas and, eventually, St. John.

The company told commissioners it currently reaches an estimated 5 to 10 percent of Virgin Islands children who need diagnosis or support. Its care model generally requires one employee for every client added, and company officials said additional cash flow would help recruit clinicians, improve compensation and continue locally focused professional training partnerships.

The application is not yet approved. Commissioner Jose Penn questioned whether the financial projections fully reflected the cost of building and operating facilities territorywide, even while calling the service essential. The public hearing has concluded, and the EDC is expected to decide the application later.