Grant writers needed for $338.5M projects

The Fitial administration is now actively recruiting grant writers to help the CNMI apply for funding under the historic $787 billion national stimulus package.

As of yesterday, the government has identified over $338.5 million in projects that could be covered, including power, water, wastewater and solid waste projects.

Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” C. Sablan, at the same time, released yesterday “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the Northern Mariana Islands” booklet, which contains information about the funding included in the stimulus package.

The 34-page ARRA booklet intends to assist the CNMI government in accessing funds that are available to it in the Recovery Act, and to provide the general public with basic information about federal assistance and funding opportunities to the CNMI.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, during a press conference yesterday, said the government does not have enough grant writers, that’s why it is going outside of the government to recruit those professionals.

He said even states as big as California are also in need of grant writers.

The CNMI ARRA Coordination Office through the Department of Commerce is requesting submissions of grant writing resumes.

“All resumes should include previous experience in applying for federal dollars, a list of grants to include amounts and agencies which have successfully been awarded, educational background, and fee structure,” said the office.

All resumes will be considered for a work period of no more than three weeks.

The public is asked to forward all resumes to depcommerce.ada@gmail.com no later than today.

Commerce Secretary Michael Ada, who also leads the CNMI ARRA Coordination Office, said it is now a matter of putting the applications together after they finalized the project list.

He said the CNMI is “right on schedule.”

“It’s not a matter of who gets there first, but who gets there first with the best products so we’re putting in safety nets to make sure we get the best products possible,” he said.

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law in February, the CNMI is eligible for infrastructure funding in addition to individual tax credits residents will receive.

But because the insular areas were unsuccessful in their attempt to allow the Interior Department to distribute their portion, the CNMI must apply and compete against other local governments for the competitive grant money. The CNMI will also receive a set amount of non-competitive formula grant money.

The list increased from 53 projects totaling $270 million to 76 projects totaling $338.5 million.

For a listing of all projects, visit www.commerce.gov.mp.