Commerce Secretary Michael Ada said the grant was approved after Gov. Benigno R. Fitial met with federal authorities following the governor’s presentation on CNMI issues at the American Defense Communities conference last month in San Francisco, California.
Ada said the CNMI will use the video teleconference equipment for the Military Integration Management Committee meetings.
Fitial, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, and the CNMI mayors are the members of this committee.
Ada said military integration management coordinator Tom Linden has done a “terrific job” in working with federal partners in identifying needs in relation to the military activities in the CNMI.
Linden’s foresight prompted Commerce to request for the funding. Ada said.
The equipment, he added will be installed at the Office of the Governor, the Department of Commerce and at the mayor’s offices on Tinian and Rota. The Military Integration Committee Management Committee is responsible for coordinating all military related projects funded by Defense and other federal agencies.
The group will address military buildup related issues and helps different Defense representatives to effectively communicate with the commonwealth leaders.
Once installed, the equipment will reduce the amount of travel time and costs for the mayors of Tinian and Rota who frequently travel to Saipan for meetings regarding the military buildup.
It will also allow the CNMI to meet with the officials of Guam and Defense through video teleconference.
Fitial said the CNMI’s partnership with Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment has been a critical step in ensuring strong ties between local and federal governments.
