The grant will enable the state governments of the Federated States of Micronesia to implement small-scale infrastructure projects for health and education facilities.
In brief remarks, U.S. Ambassador to the FSM Miriam Hughes noted that the grant “opens a small but significant window,” referring to American efforts at installing a more effective delivery system that gives the states more flexibility on how to use the funding.
“We aim to empower Micronesian officials to fulfill with pride the most basic obligation of governance — to anticipate, define and fulfill the needs of your citizens,” Hughes said.
FSM Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin S. Robert, in his remarks, noted the flexibility of Compact funding and expressed hope that “the same favorable consideration can again be accorded to projects that meet the development aspiration of the FSM.”
Robert highlighted the importance of joint cooperation between the FSM and U.S. governments, as well as the importance of American presence here to appreciate this island nation’s challenges and limitations.
Each of the four FSM states will be allocated $750,000 of the grant for projects directly related to: 1) construction, repair, renovation or rehabilitation of education and health facilities; 2) provision of potable water to education and health facilities; and 3) public safety. Each state is required to provide a listing and description of projects to be funded by the grant.
