THE Building Optimism, Opportunities, and Stability Together or BOOST Program grant application deadline is today, Friday, Nov. 18.
The initial deadline was Sept. 18, which was first extended to Oct. 18.
Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, BOOST is financial assistance to businesses and non-profit organizations in the form of grants and business coaching initiated by the Office of the Governor, the CNMI Department of Commerce, and the CNMI Department of Finance.
A committee composed of representatives from these three entities review the applications, then make recommendations to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres for final approval.
A total of $12 million is available through this program, with no specific allocations for each of the senatorial districts.
“I continue to urge everyone to please look into it because it’s definitely a program that helps the people of the Commonwealth… We’ve seen some great results, some good, positive feedback from all islands — Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Again, we’re investing in our own people, folks who need a little help so that their dreams can become a reality,” Torres said on Wednesday.
He said although funding may not be 100% of what applicants ask for, “it’s definitely something…to help boost your dream, boost your program, and we’re going to see a lot of good things happening from it.”
There is also a BOOST Fishers, Farmers, Ranchers Program to promote food and nutritional security, protect and promote traditional cultural practices, and to diversify and revitalize the economy for those engaged in commercial activity.
BOOST funds are extended to fishers, farmers, and ranchers who produce for sale and trade. A BOOST subsistence stimulus of up to $500 is available for applicants who fish, farm, or ranch for personal consumption.
For more information, visit https://www.boostCNMI.com/
Ralph DLG Torres
