Guam Guard facilities to be upgraded
Global Pacific Design Builders LLC of Hagatna was awarded a $33.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for construction of the Guam Army National Guard Readiness Center in Barrigada.
The work provides for the “design and construction of a facility to support the training, administrative, and logistical requirements of the Guam Army National Guard,” according to a Sept. 30 release.
The contract also contains five unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase the cumulative contract value to $38.2 million. Work is expected to be completed by February 2025. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas made the award, for which Global Pacific was the only bidder.
Palau to introduce biometrics at entry
The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection of Palau has reached a deal with Tascent Inc. of Silicon Valley, Calif. for the deployment of its multimodal biometrics at the country’s border crossings, according to a Sept. 23 release. The bureau expects the system to go operational within the first six months of next year, according to the release.
Cornerstone Valuation Guam releases quarterly statistics
According to Cornerstone Valuation’s newsletter, released Sept. 30, Guam’s real estate sales volume increased slightly in the second quarter of 2022, compared to the second quarter of 2021, but the number of transactions went down. Both single family dwellings and land sales decreased. Condominium sales soared, due to Ladera Tower unit sales. The median price in all sectors reflects increases, mainly due to a limited supply, ‘balancing’ the rising interest pressures.
Grants update:
The U.S. Department of Labor announced Sept. 26 the award of $7.51 million in a Dislocated Worker Grant to the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Labor’s Workforce Investment Agency to support SkillUp CNMI.
The project promotes enhanced strategic public-private partnerships to convey an effective plan to address the shortfalls of the workforce. SkillUp CNMI is designed to serve communities in priority industries, such as infrastructure-related sectors, including manufacturing, construction, communications, transportation, distribution and logistics; economy sectors such as health and childcare; environmental remediation and climate change mitigation-related industries; and individuals in leisure/hospitality, who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Sept. 27 release from the Office of the Governor.
The Office of the Governor, the Guam Economic Development Authority, and the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services presented checks totaling $1.6 million to 39 recipients through a second round of the Community Care and After School Care Programs.
Recipients are:
Organization | Amount | Description |
The Talent Box | $75,000 | To expand after school and intersession dance programs, giving Guam’s children more opportunities and resources to learn different styles of dance. |
Dear Tree Learning Center and Art Studio | $49,600 | To expand their after school program dedicated to teaching children new and contemporary forms of visual art. |
Santa Teresita Catholic Church | $50,000 | To bolster their community programs aimed at serving children ages 4 and up. These community programs are intended for faith based children’s programs and mental health awareness. |
Gracie Barra Martial Arts Academy | $74,825 | To expand their after school and summer programs to offer more opportunities for Guam’s youth to train in jiu-jitsu and offer more accessible classes to children from low-income communities and children with disabilities. |
Children’s Production Inc (SKIP Entertainment Co.) | $99,899 | To bolster SKIP’s after school program as well as the winter, spring and summer 2023 intercessions to give children more opportunities and resources to learn and cultivate different styles of dance. |
Wings FC Soccer Club | $30,000 | To bolster team training activities and give the children more opportunities to train and love the sport of soccer |
St. Francis Catholic School | $47,246 | To launch new summer program to be offered to Guam’s youth to give them a positive faith base environment and give them opportunities to participate in a variety of age appropriate activities |
Guam Amateur Baseball Association | $80,280 | To bolster after school baseball leagues and host a summer camp baseball clinic aimed at teaching the youth the sport of baseball and educating the youth about drug, alcohol, and substance abuse |
Guam Conservatory of Arts | $100,000 | To expand the after school program and summer program aimed at teaching children about ballet, dance, and dramatic arts |
Gametime Inc. | $75,000 | To expand youth football league and establish summer camp aims at teaching kids football |
Erica’s House Inc | $50,000 | To offer more activities and supplies for children at the center |
GALA Inc. | $45,241.75 | To launch three summer programs and and one after school program focused on suidicide prevention, substance abuse prevention, and providing age appropriate activities |
Kidz Korner Child Care Center | $49,920 | To launch after school program for homework help and tutoring services |
Guam Elite Basketball (Micronesian Sports Foundation) | $50,000 | To launch after school program that will offer basketball training clinics and fitness training to participating children |
Art Beat Guam | $99,800 | To launch after school program for students to create art and explore new art styles |
Junior Achievement of Guam | $50,000.00 | To launch three programs dedicated to teaching children about environmental sustainability |
Guahan Sustainable Culture | $50,000 | To launch after school program to help students with homework and participate in a community garden |
Guam Junior Golf League | $48,205 | To launch after school program and monthly tournaments |
Guam Bowling Congress | $29,495 | To establish a junior division of bowling league |
Father Duenas Memorial School | $100,000 | To launch intersession camp and summer camp in 2023 |
SIFA Learning Academy | $50,000 | To launch after school sports programs for rugby, basketball, soccer and volleyball |
Santa Barbara Catholic School | $43,758. | To strengthen SBCS After school art club and music choir |
Edtech Institute | $91,680.47 | To launch Youth Volleyball Camp and Math Camp – Summer 2023 |
The Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence and the Office of the Attorney General of Guam have received a $1.5 million grant to “combat human trafficking” in Guam and in the Northern Mariana Islands, according to a Sept. 30 release. Law enforcement agencies will receive $750,000 to support task force coordination, and victim service providers will receive $750,000 to support victim services with community outreach, resources, training, and coordination of awareness and response. Titled Project Setbe yan Protehi, the grant seeks to reestablish the Marianas Human Trafficking Task Force.
Port of Guam awards upgrade jobs
RN Builders were awarded $390,000 of renovation work at the Port of Guam’s Container Freight Station. The work will include painting of the exterior, interior, and roof coating, according to a Sept. 29 release from the port.
College president teaches cultural course
Patrick U. Tellei, president of Palau Community College; gave a continuing education class on the constitution of Palau at the Palau Cultural Center in Dededo on Sept. 24. The former trust territory of the United States became a sovereign nation Oct. 1, 1994. More than 40 students attended the four-hour course and earned a certificate from Palau Community College. The class is the first of more courses that Tellei hopes could lead to a larger program on Palau cultural studies. mbj
