Weekly Status Report - CMTF Economic Development Subcommittee


One ofthe main objectives of the Economic Development Subcommittee (EDS) ofthe CMTF is to insure that local and small businesses on Guam are able to participate in opportunities available during the federal contracting of projects planned for the military expansion. During this past week, GEDCA who provides staff support to the EDS accomplished the following tasks.

~ On January 15,2008, GEDCA staff met with Members of the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Focus & Development Committee at which time we presented initiatives that were identified during meetings with various small businesses and small business advocates regarding the Proposed Military Expansion (PME). Attached is a draft of the initiatives developed by staff.

~ Also during the week, GEDCA staff met with Rodney Webb and Casey Jeszenka from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez with the Pacific Centerfor Economic Initiatives at UOG to discuss funding requests necessitated by the PME to be submitted as part ofthe 2010 federal budget. One project in pursuit of federal funding is the construction of the SBDC Incubator Building which has already completed it's AlE under an EDA grant.

~ Recently, GEDCA prepared and transmitted the Governor's letter to Major General David Bice from the Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO) requesting that the Navy's Execution Plan allow participation by local businesses in the contracting for goods and services that will be required for the proposed military expansion. In support ofthis effort, GEDCA staff met with US Small Business Administration representatives who have indicated that SBA intends to have Navy allocate as much federal dollars to small businesses. A copy of the letter is attached.

~ GEDCA has requested assistance from Dr. Roseann Jones from the University of Guam in helping us to identify the economic factors that should be considered in the development ofan economic impact study on the PME and the cost of such as study. The membership of the EDS will continue to meet to discuss and recommend resolution on the challenges associated with the military expansion's impact to the local economy.

 

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