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Torres confident govt will spend over $300M in disaster recovery grants
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Posted on Oct 21 2020
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres expressed confidence yesterday that his administration will be able to expend the $244 million Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery action plan, on top of the $100 million or more from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the past three typhoons.
Speaking at a radio news briefing, Torres said the $244 million CDBG-DR grant—one of the largest federal amounts the CNMI has so far received—will be spent in a span of six years.
He said he met with all Cabinet members, permitting agencies, and Northern Marianas Housing Corp. corporate director Jesse S. Palacios about the CBDG-DR federal aid and that he and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios are exploring a new approach on how to expend this grant under the CNMI’s disaster recovery action plan.
He also expects the CNMI to receive additional funds of about $100 million or more from FEMA arising from the Super Typhoon Yutu and Typhoon Mangkhut disasters and even as far back as Typhoon Soudelor.
“I am confident that we are going to spend that money because we need to. And that’s an opportunity for us to deploy our community work and increase opportunities for our people and reduce the unemployment rate that’s going on now,” Torres said. “We will work extremely hard to make sure that we spend that money soon and, maximize that opportunity.”
He said they are putting every effort to exploring new approaches just to address the permitting agencies and permitting requirement that they need to move forward with these projects.
Torres also disclosed that they are also looking at extending the Koblerville Homestead next year. He believes this will create between 250 and 300 new homesteads that they’re hoping to open up opportunities for the community.
