$25K grant for ground maintenance equipment

Personnel from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works, and the Saipan Mayor’s Office welcome the arrival of the new ground maintenance equipment. Third from right is Office of Grants Management Administrator Epi Cabrera and, fifth from right, Anthony Barcinas of USDA Area II of Guam. (Contributed Photo)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a $25,000 grant directly from its national office in Washington, D.C. to the Office of the Governor under their USDA Rural Development –Community Facilities Grant Program.

Joseph Diego, USDA Area II regional director of Guam, announced the highly competitive grant award to the CNMI in late October.

According to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, the main purpose of the grant was to acquire much needed ground maintenance equipment to the four CNMI municipalities for DLNR’s Division of Parks & Recreation, DPW’s Roads and Grounds Division, and the Office of the Governor.

The additional equipment includes 50 brush cutters, trimmer lines, fuel containers, coveralls, and face shields.

Torres said these items will further assist with ground maintenance through the respective mayors of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands.

“The beautification of the islands is paramount to strengthening our tourism industry and protecting our environment. These agencies will receive much needed resources to assist in keeping our islands well-maintained for the safety of our communities. I express my gratitude to the Office of Grants Management for seeking and obtaining the grant for the Commonwealth and for the continued assistance provided by USDA regional director of Guam Joseph Diego to address the needs of our community,” Torres said.

Parks & Recreation director Eliceo D. Cabrera gave appreciation for the additional equipment, saying that ground maintenance is crucial to its operations.

“We constantly buy new equipment and make needed repairs on older models. This grant will definitely alleviate the costs of repairs and rejuvenate our current fleet, improve our operations efficiency, and we are extremely grateful for it,” Cabrera said.

Tinian Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas emphasized the beautification efforts for the Municipality of Tinian and extended his appreciation to the USDA Rural Development offices in Guam and in Washington, D.C.

“USDA continues to be very instrumental and supportive in assisting the CNMI with various funding assistance available under the USDA grant programs. The ground maintenance equipment will be used to beautify our surrounding parks, pavilion areas, and roadsides on Tinian for our tourists and residents,” San Nicolas said.

Expressing appreciation for previous grant awards and assistance from USDA, Epiphanio E. Cabrera Jr., administrator for the Office of Grants Management, stated that maintenance equipment accounts for a noticeable portion of funding in certain department budgets.

“We are quite fortunate because Washington decided to award the grant after the region had depleted much of its grant funding for the year. Through the diligent work with our regional office out of Guam, this award will now alleviate costs and help these departments run more efficiently,” Cabrera said, adding that the Commonwealth anticipates more funding to come from USDA in the near future. (PR)