Don Farrell, co-chairman of the development plan committee, said Tinian wants new revenue.
The development plan, he said, will be beneficial to both Tinian and the CNMI government.
“Saipan will support it because we can make money not only for Tinian,” he said.
Farrell said different government departments will submit data and recommendations for the development plan, the details of which will be announced in December.
He said the development of the plan will not hamper the regular tasks of government departments.
“There’s not going to be much time taken from their regular work,” he added.
He said they will work with funds they already have and will ask the help of volunteers from the private sector.
“We don’t want to put out a giant contract for an outside company to come in and lay out a plan for us. The people of Tinian will develop their own plan because they want to see their own island develop,” he added.
But Farrell said they will bring in experts who can help refine the plan and extend technical assistance in some areas.
“I believe there are federal funding sources that will help us do this,” the retired educator said.
Farrell said the development plan will not conflict with ongoing development projects on Tinian.
He said they will be incorporating and comparing notes to come up with the ideal plan.
The committee, he added, will coordinate with all regulatory agencies to ensure that the development plan complies with existing standards.
The objective of Tinain Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz, he said, is to begin work with a five-year development plan as there is going to be many changes that cannot be avoided like the military buildup.
By December, Farrell said, they will have an outline of the economic development plan.
