Achievements to date:

1) RFP issued for the Comprehensive Housing Study

2) GHURA has initiated process to build affordable housing for Guam.

a. Mtgs. to date include; Guam Housing Corp. to explore a partnership, GEDCA & Banc of America to explore bond financing options, Chamorro Land Trust Commission Executive Director to identify potential Government land to use for the affordable housing project.

3) Garnered support from HUD for a CDBG supplemental budget request.

Challenges:

1) Housing & construction rates have increased and continue to do so, in large part due to the buildup. Significant impact on the availability of affordable housing for the low- to moderate-income families.

2) Lack of information

3) Temporary housing for the workforce, outside of the fence.

Action Items:

1) Congressional pursuits to ;a) Waive 10% cap on planning activities in the CDBG program, b) designate the entire island as “rural” to enable participation in USDA Rural Development programs, c) authorize the use of unused Low Income Housing Tax Credits from other insular areas to encourage the development of affordable housing.

2) Construction of affordable housing – supported and/or initiated by the Government of Guam

3) Collection of data via the Comprehensive Housing Study, continue to request information from other sources.

4) Request for additional housing choice vouchers (Section 8) and seek additional operational funds for the construction of additional public housing and affordable housing units.

CMTF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE

At conference call on Feb. 21 with members of the IGIA Small Business Subcommittee, Office of Navy Small Business Programs indicated that General Bice is interested in knowing how small businesses can fit into the NavFac Execution/Acquisition Plan in way that minimizes risk (eg, performance, management costs to military, etc.) associated with having numerous small business contracts. The group decided to work on identifying the types of business services required by military growth to allow small businesses time to prepare.

Action Items:

• The Subcommittee requests IGIA support for the following projects for inclusion in the FY2010 federal budget, pending approval from the Governor:

o $1.9 Million to develop an economic plan and an econometric model;
o $6.98 Million to develop and implement small business and micro-loan programs;
o $0.555 Million to conduct a business capabilities and development study;
o $1.0 Million to obtain financial advisory services; and
o $0.35 Million to develop infrastructure feasibility studies.

IGIA BRIEF: 2/20/08

• Will develop a FY2010 funding justification to conduct a detailed economic assessment as the Navy has recently shown that a detailed economic assessment will not be prepared as part of the Environmental Impact Statement. IGIA conceptual support for this funding request is solicited.

• Requires the Navy to set aside contractual funding for local and small businesses. While funding for small business training must be provided, funding set asides must be provided if local and small businesses are expected to take advantage of training opportunities.

• Other obstacles to local and small business participation including bonding, subcontracting plans, and achievement of statutory targets for small businesses are being addressed now and recommendations will be provided at a later date. However, to achieve success, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the Navy Office of Small Business Programs must actively involve Guam’s small business advocates including the University of Guam Small Business Development Center, the Pacific Center for Economic Initiatives, the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Focus Group, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Government of Guam.

CMTF PUBLIC SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE

Top Three Issues

• Migration of Citizens from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

In anticipation of the economic expansion, Guam will receive an increase of individuals and families migrating from the FSM. The announcement that an impending movement of military forces to Guam from Okinawa and the related economic activity have attracted FSM citizens to Guam, causing a strain on our already fragile public safety system. Due to their socio-economic status, the majority of these citizens would have the propensity for contact in the criminal justice system.

• Lack of Information with Regard to the Final Footprint of Military Installations

The time frame for the Guam buildup is extremely compressed with regard to community planning. Public safety requires detailed information on density of population areas in order to respond to the community’s needs for services.

• Advanced Funding for Expansion of Public Safety Entities to Prepare for Massive Population Expansion

The Government of Guam does not have the financial resources to “prepare today for the needs of tomorrow.” Capital improvement projects take many years to complete and the recruitment and training of public safety personnel take a number of years to accomplish as well. Additional federal funding from FY 2009 to FY 2012 would be very helpful to fast track and assist public safety preparedness for Guam’s military buildup.