Kimberlyn King-Hinds
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has called on the Department of Defense to ensure that its Indo-Pacific strategy reflects not only a security presence in the Northern Mariana Islands but also meaningful local economic engagement. In a formal letter sent to Rear Admiral Joshua Lasky, Commander of Joint Task Force Micronesia, the Congresswoman raised concerns about recent decisions that appear to exclude the CNMI from programs designed to ensure defense investments benefit host communities.
“The people of the CNMI deserve to be full partners in advancing our nation’s Indo-Pacific strategy,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “That partnership must include equitable access to the economic opportunities that come with federal activity in our islands.”
The letter cites the recent denial of Northern Marianas College’s application to host a Department of Defense APEX Accelerator, a program intended to help local businesses compete for federal contracts. Despite strong public support from Pacific Air Forces leadership, the Army rejected the application on the grounds it was deemed too costly and not in the best interest of the program, even while acknowledging that the proposal met all federal requirements.
“This is the Department’s primary tool for helping small businesses engage in the federal marketplace. Denying its presence in the CNMI undercuts the very outcomes the Department says it supports,” King-Hinds wrote.
The Congresswoman also highlighted reports of federal contracts bypassing local businesses in favor of off-island providers. These include the importation of water for training activities on Tinian and a $238,000 catering contract awarded to a non-local vendor. “Basic goods and services like water and food are available on-island,” King-Hinds noted. “These missed opportunities suggest a lack of internal coordination and raise serious concerns about the implementation of the Department’s public commitments.”
The CNMI’s economy continues to suffer from sharp declines in tourism and air service. The Congresswoman emphasized that federal defense investments must be matched with local economic integration, particularly in resource-constrained communities like the Marianas.
In her letter, King-Hinds announced her intention to introduce legislation requiring federal procurement decisions to consider the economic needs of the CNMI and encouraged collaboration with the Department of Defense to shape the proposal.
“I would welcome the opportunity to share this legislation with Rear Admiral Lasky and his team,” she said. “When the Department spends time and resources in the Marianas, it should be spending more than ammunition.”
