The money will be used for site preparation work at Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Station. The award was given to a Colorado-based firm, but Guthertz said a number of local businesses will also benefit from sub-contracting awards, thus creating local job opportunities.
Guthertz called the announcement a “tangible benefit to the buildup,” adding that “now we need a buildup master plan and assurance of funding from Washington.”
“These Japanese funds were already in the bank, we are told, but demonstrate good faith of Japan’s support of the eventual plan which will benefit everyone living on Guam,” said Guthertz.
Guthertz said as the implementation moves forward, GovGuam must ensure its agencies are prepared for what is to come.
The trifecta of disasters in Japan last March — earthquake, tsunami and potential nuclear meltdown — led to alarmist fears that the “mamizu” money, direct contributions that Japan agreed to in support of the buildup, would never materialize.
“I hope now that we can set that fear aside,” Guthertz said, “since we have no shortage of other worries on our plate.”
