Ensure Economic Opportunity Follows Defense Investment

This week, I wrote to Rear Admiral Joshua Lasky of Joint Task Force Micronesia to raise concerns about missed economic opportunities for the Marianas. Despite public statements supporting local business engagement, the Department of the Army recently denied Northern Marianas College’s application to host an APEX Accelerator, a program designed to help local companies compete for federal contracts. The application met all criteria, but was rejected solely due to cost. That’s not good enough. At a time when our economy is still recovering, the CNMI should not be excluded from the very programs intended to support communities impacted by military activity. I also highlighted troubling reports that basic goods and services, like water and catering, are being imported from off-island during training exercises. The people of the Marianas deserve more than statements of support. We deserve to be true partners in shaping the future of the region.