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SHEFA seeks $15K for move to the Ladera Center in Oleai
The Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance Program is requesting an additional $15,000 to cover expenses for its move to the Ladera Center in Oleai.
SHEFA program administrator Merissa S. Rasa said their relocation will necessitate paying for rent as well as office improvements.
“We are hoping that our request is approved for an additional $15,000,” she said.
Every year, SHEFA is usually appropriated some $3 million and is allotted $100,000 for operations and personnel costs.
“We are hoping to meet with Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation and House and Ways Committee chair Rep. Antonio Sablan (Ind-Saipan) to request additional funding needed for the move and monthly rental fee,” Rasa said.
SHEFA earlier announced it will start moving to the Ladera Center this month to be nearer the Saipan Mayor’s Office.
The office SHEFA currently uses has been its home since 2004 and is actually rent-free, with only an annual insurance fee of $300 paid to the Northern Marianas Housing Corp.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang said SHEFA’s move to the Ladera Center is a good decision because it would improve coordination among SHEFA staff and board and the mayor’s staff.
“The SHEFA board approved to move the SHEFA office to the second floor of the Ladera Center where the Mayor’s Office is located. In that way, SHEFA can avail itself of the logistics and other services provided by the mayor’s office,” Rasa said.
The move was suggested by Apatang in January this year, urging the board to start planning on its move before NMHC releases the property to possible investors.
Rasa earlier said they were given six months at the most to complete their move.
