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If you are interested in applying to bringing your business to the RTPark, there are three programs available to you: our Protected Cell Program, Tenant-Only Program and Early Adopter Tenant Program. Each offers unique benefits, and all require disclosure of full background information.

• Our Protected Cell Program extends corporate tax incentives to tenants and Strategic Partners. To learn more about Protected Cells and how to apply, download our Protected Cell Summary Procedures document.

• Our Tenant-Only Program is a subset of our Protected Cell Program and DOES NOT include corporate tax incentives. You can download our Protected Cell Summary Procedures document for general information and contact RTPark for additional details.

• Our Early Adopter Tenant Program is available to certain, qualified start-up businesses and prototyping activities. The program DOES NOT include corporate tax incentives. You can learn more by downloading our by downloading Expedited Procedure for Early Adopter Tenants and RTPark Early Adopter Tenant Template Prototyping Plan documents.

The following presents information of use to Applicants and is drawn from a variety of sources including RTPark’s charter, the Act, and guidelines adopted by the RTPark Board, but is not intended to be definitive. The applicant is encouraged to undertake its own thorough examination of the relevant legislation, operational procedures, and relevance to its own business objectives before proceeding with an application for tenancy or Protected Cell status. While RTPark believes this document accurately summarizes the information drawn from the Act and other sources as of the date of this document, to the extent any of the information contained herein conflicts with the Act or such other sources, the Act and other sources (as the case may be) will control.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. What Does It Cost To Join? Are Standard Rates And Pricing Available?
• 2. What Kinds of Businesses Are Eligible To Be RTPark Tenants?
• 3. What Is The Application Procedure For Tenancy In The RTPark?
• 4. Under What Circumstances Can Tenancy In The RTPark Be Terminated?
• 5. What Kinds Of Applicants Are Eligible To Apply For The Establishment Of A Protected Cell?

• 1. What Does It Cost To Join? Are Standard Rates And Pricing Available?

  Becoming a part of RTPark is much more than a supplier/customer relationship. RTPark engages as a partner, especially for companies seeking status as a tax-incented Protected Cell. Since every business has different needs, growth expectations, capital plans and ownership structures, the relationship between RTPark and each tenant and Protected Cell is defined in a mutually-agreed contract (generally, a “Park Tenant Agreement”) negotiated between the applicant and RTPark, after RTPark receives a formal application. Although each such agreement is drafted from a common template, there are no standard rates or pricing, per se. However, certain established fees are assessed and these will be discussed more fully in our first meeting with you, in person or by telephone. For example, for each applicant:

  • An application fee is assessed unless the application is prepared and presented in consultation with USVI counsel, or the applicant is a native Virgin Islander.
  • An independent due diligence background examination will be performed on the applicant company and its principals, and the cost for this examination is borne by the applicant.
  • Annual franchise fees are assessed based upon the applicant’s gross receipts in the USVI, and are described elsewhere in this FAQ document.
  • If tax-incented Protected Cell status is desired, 17 VIC Chapter 43 S. 802(d)(1) states that “the Protected Cell must have RTPark-PC as a shareholder, partner, member, or other equity owner, to an agreed minimum percentage, of the total equity interests in the Protected Cell entity.” The intent of this provision is two-fold: first, it is the mechanism by which the majority of our benefits and incentives are extended, and second, by engaging as partners, our interests are aligned – our success depends upon your success. This provision is not intended to complicate the control or management of your company; the pragmatic application of the equity requirement is to secure a the applicant’s performance under the Protected Cell License/Operating Agreement governing the Protected Cell.

  RTPark and its Strategic Partners provide a variety of e-commerce services through 64 West, RTPark’s Tier-1 point of presence and data center in the USVI. For more information on these services, including pricing and other terms, please contact our Strategic Partners directly.

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• 2. What Kinds of Businesses Are Eligible To Be RTPark Tenants?

  The Act generally stipulates that RTPark will have the following categories of tenants:

  • Beneficiaries of the USVI EDC Program pursuant to 29 VIC Chapter 12
  • RTPark-PC, pursuant to 17 VIC Chapter 43
  • Other Knowledge-based Businesses pursuant to 17 VIC Chapter 34 S. 428(h)
  • Support Businesses pursuant to 17 VIC Chapter 34 S. 428(l).

  The RTPark Board of Directors has the exclusive right and authority under the Act to negotiate with such businesses as to the terms of their leases and all other aspects of their tenancy. The specific selection criteria that apply to prospective RTPark tenants are described in documentation you can download and review from our Applications page.

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• 3. What Is The Application Procedure For Tenancy In The RTPark?

  RTPark seeks to select those companies that are most likely to help RTPark and UVI in achieving their objective of helping to build a sustainable technology sector in the USVI, generate revenues for RTPark and UVI, and generally contributing to the economic development of the USVI. RTPark is an equal opportunity service organization, and within the context of its mission and entrance criteria guidelines, RTPark will provide equal access to qualified businesses. The application procedure can be found in documentation you can download and review from our Applications page, and is summarized as follows:

  When considering an applicant for RTPark tenancy, the RTPark staff:

  • Conducts pre-application activities, which will include conducting an interview with the applicant in order to determine eligibility for tenancy
  • Requests a formal application from the prospective tenant. The applicant will be required to pay an administration fee for this process
  • Analyzes the company’s business plan of operations together with other applicant information, and carries out other due diligence activities
  • Forwards its recommendations to the Board for a final admission decision
  • If accepted as a tenant, the company will be required to apply for the appropriate business license
  • If they are eligible and desire to do so, the company may then apply for benefits as a Protected Cell, or under certain circumstances including a prerequisite referral from RTPark, for EDC benefits.

  Possible admission decisions include:

  • Acceptance for immediate admission to RTPark tenancy
  • Conditional acceptance
  • Rejection of the application

  Evaluation Criteria

  Clients are selected on a case-by-case basis. Evaluation criteria include but are not limited to the following:

  • Merits of the business plan and plan of operations
  • Profitability and financial viability of the business
  • Background and experience of the principals
  • Commitment to employment of USVI residents
  • Applicant’s commitment-both financial and personal time to workforce development and community reinvestment
  • Business references
  • Adequacy of the management team
  • Potential for collaboration and interaction with UVI.

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• 4. Under What Circumstances Can Tenancy In The RTPark Be Terminated?

  RTPark reserves the right to rescind a company’s right to participate as a tenant if the company breaches its responsibilities and obligations under its Lease Agreement. Breaches include, for example:

  • Engaging in activities not covered by the terms of the lease
  • Engaging in illegal or illicit activities
  • Failure to fulfill obligations, or comply with any agreements, RTPark regulations, USVI Government regulations, or USVI or federal law
  • Failure to remain in compliance with respect to maintaining a current business license, current in filing of tax returns, etc.
  • Nonpayment or non-timely payment of RTPark invoices

  Depending on the severity of the breach, a company will receive written notice of intent to terminate in order to give the company an opportunity to remedy the situation. Decisions to terminate may be appealed to the Board of Directors of the RTPark, whose authority is final.

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• 5. What Kinds Of Applicants Are Eligible To Apply For The Establishment Of A Protected Cell?

  Any individual, group of individuals, or business may apply for the establishment of a Protected Cell. In order to receive the benefits that the Protected Cell offers, the Protected Cell must:

  • be an “Electronic Commerce Business,” an “E-commerce Business,” or a “Knowledge-Based Business” as defined in 17 VIC Chapter 34 S. 482;
  • be a tenant of RTPark; and
  • have RTPark-PC as an equity owner.

  The RTPark Board must also provide written approval of a plan of operation with respect to the Protected Cell before tax benefits can be received by the Protected Cell. Certain elements of such plan of operation may be incorporated into the Protected Cell License/Operating Agreement.

  The RTPark Board has the exclusive right and authority under the Act to negotiate with Applicants as to the terms of their leases and all other aspects of their tenancy in RTPark. The specific selection criteria that apply to prospective Protected Cell tenants of RTPark are described in documentation you can download and review from our Applications page.

  Neither RTPark nor RTPark-PC will do business with organizations or individuals undertaking business in or with countries proscribed by the US Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, or with individuals identified by the US Federal Government as Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons. RTPark will also comply with any other restrictions that may from time to time be defined by the US Federal Government. Applicants must comply with these restrictions both at the time of application and as they may be amended in the future.

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