Leon Guerrero talks federal investments with Congressional delegates
A meeting was held on April 16 between Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero and several bipartisan Congressional Delegates.
According to a release by the Office of the Governor, the delegates, alongside senior staff and Department of Defense liaisons toured the island’s military bases and talked about ongoing civilian and military infrastructure needs.
Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero met with the CODEL on April 16. Photo courtesy Office of the Governor
The delegation included the House Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee chairman. Rep. Ken Calvert of California, Rep. Steve Womack of Arkansas, Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii, and House Appropriations Committee Military Construction Subcommittee Member Rep. John Rutherford of Florida.
Leon Guerrero called for more federal investment into Guam’s infrastructure stating that while $104 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds were committed towards building the Mangilao Medical Campus, the island needs federal partners at the table for its construction.
The governor added that the administration is exploring Community Development Block Grants, bond financing, and other grants to help finance the hospital.
Adelup told the Journal that discussions were general, and no specific topics were discussed. Guam media were not able to meet the delegation.
The CODEL members expressed interest in the island’s energy infrastructure and discussed how the federal government could assist in strengthening energy systems. However, the Guam Power Authority was not present during the meeting. mbj
The Guam International Airport Authority announced on July 10, that the facilities at the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam has been designated as a support location for Resolute Force Pacific 2025
Andersen Air Force base has not had enough housing for its personnel, an issue common to all bases, with about 40% of military personnel on Guam living in the community, according to Journal files.
Vera Topasña, executive director of the office of the governor’s Community Defense Liaison Office (CDLO), presented a detailed update on Guam’s defense-related construction, grant funding, and military mitigation efforts during the Mayor’s Council of Guam meeting on July 9.
Guam’s governor and military officials discussed foreign labor and other issues connected to the more than $5 billion in construction projects in Guam expected over the next three to five years.
