Lee Wentela, the chief of the Economic Census Branch, and Geoffrey Hill, a survey statistician, are on island until July 8 to address the 2007 Economic Census.
The Economic Census covers all businesses that paid employees during any period of time in 2007 and its completion is required by Title 13 of the U.S. Code.
The Census officials are working with the Central Statistics Division of the CNMI Department of Commerce on follow-up plans for non-reporting companies.
The remaining follow-up inquiries will be conducted through a combination of telephone call interviews and personal visits.
The Census forms were originally mailed in December of 2007 and three follow-up inquiries have since been sent by mail.
So far, however, just over 70 percent of the businesses have returned their forms.
To ensure the accuracy of the economic census, it is important that the reports be received from as many businesses as possible.
Historically, the CNMI has had final response rates at or above 90 percent for the economic census, which is conducted every 5 years.
The 2007 results are scheduled to be released in March 2009.
“It is absolutely essential for federal policy makers to have current information about the state of the CNMI’s economy in order to make sound federal policy decisions concerning our islands,” said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who urged all CNMI businesses to cooperate with the U.S. Census Bureau in completing the 2007 Economic Census.
Companies that have not yet returned their economic census questionnaires are urged to do so promptly. Questions may be directed to the staff of the Central Statistics Division at 664-3023 or 664-3045.
Red flag raised at 1 Rota site
(DEQ) — The Division of Environmental Quality has raised the red flag at a site on Rota and advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of this location for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
Samples collected from the Mobil Storm Drainage contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria — enterococci — that exceeded the CNMI’s marine water quality standards.
These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water.
Studies have also shown that storm water runoff in tropical environments may also contain these bacteria from the natural environment, which may not be directly associated with public health concerns.
NMC-CREES hosts free 2-day aquaculture workshop
(NMC) — Northern Marianas College’s Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service is sponsoring a free “Opportunities in Aquaculture” workshop on July 10 and 11.
The two-day workshop aims to introduce various economic opportunities that have not been tapped or fully developed in the CNMI.
Topics will include global shrimp farming opportunities, aquaculture biosecurity, artificial propagation of marine finfish, culturing coral reef species, import and export requirements, tips on the permitting process, tips on writing a business plan for an aquaculture venture, securing venture financing, and more.
Sponsored through a grant from the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture, which is one of five regional aquaculture centers in the U.S. established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the workshop will also feature renowned field experts and scientists.
These include Dr. Shaun Moss, the director of the shrimp program at the Oceanic Institute; Dr. Hui Gong, aquaculture development specialist from the University of Guam; Clyde Tamaru, aquaculture specialist from the University of Hawaii’s Sea Grant College Program; Clete Otoshi and Dustin Moss, shrimp program research associates at the Oceanic Institute.
Several local experts and representatives from local regulatory agencies will deliver presentations.
The “Opportunities in Aquaculture” workshop will be held at the World Resort from 8a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 10 and 11. Because seats are limited, those interested in attending are encouraged to register as soon as possible by calling NMC-CREES at 234-5498 ext 1707.
