2 new investors for shooting resorts

Rota and Tinian’s economy stand to benefit should the CNMI Legislature approve pending legislative measure that will pave the road for the establishment of shooting resorts on the two islands.

CNMI International Shooting Resort and another company headed by Korean businessman Kim Joohee are ready to infuse millions of funds once Sen. Edward Maratita’s bill got the approval of both the House and the Senate.

These companies are ready to jump-start their shooting resort business but has been keeping a low profile for fears of jeopardizing current moves to revive the governor-vetoed proposal. The investors are keeping a tab on the developments of the bill.

Mr. Maratita introduced Senate Bill 12-95 during the Senate session in Rota Friday last week, in fresh attempts to put back to life the proposal which would have meant $25 million worth of fresh investments into the local economy.

The bill aims to accommodate the construction of multi-million shooting galleries to be built on Tinian and on Rota to boost the islands’ tourism industry and to generate enough government revenues.

Under the new bill, investors will equally divide the $25 million-worth of investment between Rota and Tinian.

Senate Floor Leader Pete Reyes disclosed the proposal got the approval of the majority of the chamber although concerns have been raised that construction may be delayed when these resorts are erected on Free Trade Zones.

The senate tossed back the proposal to the committee level to thresh out problems on earlier legislative measure which requires the shooting resorts to be established within the FTZ.

The original measure incorporated a provision requiring investors to build these resorts within the FTZ property which Mr. Reyes explained won’t be operable in the next few years.

The developers have to wait until the economic zones are built since the FTZ regulations and policies are not yet in place, Mr. Reyes pointed out.

But the senator insisted he will support the provision granting that shooting resorts will also be allowed to be established on private lands and that the galleries will not pose danger to the community.

Meanwhile, a well-placed source disclosed Rota officials have been actively endorsing the construction of the shooting resort on the island in hopes to generate employment for local residents and to attract a huge number of travelers.

Major programs were lined up under the proposal submitted by Korean investors. These programs are seen to benefit the host-island in terms of job opportunities and the needed attraction to give the tourism industry a major boost.

The earlier proposal was vetoed by Mr. Tenorio after barrage of safety concerns were raised not only by the local residents but by several travel agents.

But in a last ditch effort, Rota residents headed by Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona submitted its signed petition to the governor in hopes to allow the construction of shooting ranges claimed to be as an economic stimulant desperately needed by Rota.