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Villagomez, Cabinet talk stimulus
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Posted on Feb 22 2009
Acting governor Timothy Villagomez met with Cabinet members and department and agency heads Friday to discuss the federal stimulus grant applications.
During the meeting, which was also attended by grant writers and representatives from the Northern Marianas College and the Public School System, Villagomez and Commerce Secretary Michael Ada explained the grant application procedures and requirements, said Charles Reyes, press secretary for the Governor’s Office.
Gov. Benigno Fitial has appointed Ada to coordinate the effort among the various departments within the executive branch.
Of the $787 billion package signed into law by President Obama Tuesday last week, the CNMI could receive at least $96 million, but the Commonwealth must compete with other states and territories for the money through grant applications.
CNMI delegate Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan had called on the administration to work quickly or the Northern Marianas could lose their chance at receiving any grant money. During a meeting with legislators on Thursday, Sablan said he believes CNMI officials are moving too slowly on this matter. Other states, he said, have been preparing for the stimulus package since it was in the planning stages.
The administration is just getting started but this is a unique situation, Reyes said.
“You have to remember this is unprecedented legislation,” he said, adding that an opportunity like this has not presented itself during this administration.
“I don’t recall anything like this occurring before. We’re doing our best to meet the challenge. We’re treated like a state. We’re eligible to compete for these grants but it’s a competitive process.”
Other states have more resources, he added. Some states have hired people specifically tasked with working on the applications in order to get the most money possible. Ada has said that this is not possible for the CNMI. Instead, the CNMI must leverage its resources.
Federal agencies will distribute the money to states and territories that have shovel-ready projects. Law enforcement and health were two possible areas discussed Friday that might have shovel-ready projects, Reyes said.
