Of the five projects that DLNR submitted to the CNMI stimulus team, Dela Cruz believes only two are likely to be funded by the stimulus law, or the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
He said the ARRA funding requires that projects that are already “shoveled” or had gone through stages should top the list of the qualified proposals.
Dela Cruz said one of their proposals that are considered ready are the construction of the Garapan Public Market which is estimated to cost $2.2 million. It will be a centralized facility where farmers and fishermen can sell their produce.
This will create economic opportunities for local residents, he added.
The second project that may be funded by the stimulus package is the rehabilitation and improvement of DLNR’s slaughterhouse in As Perdido, Dela Cruz said.
Estimated to cost $850,000, the slaughterhouse will also provide Saipan ranchers a facility for their cows and hogs.
These two projects, Dela Cruz said, have already gone through some stages so he hopes they could be funded by the federal government.
The three other DLNR projects are the replacement of five water pumps for the Kagman commercial farm plots, estimated to cost $100,000; the design and construction of an agriculture nursery for the propagation of crops, which will cost $212,000; and the commercial and subsistence farming enhancement program that will pave the way for the purchase of two tractors which cost $200,000.
Dela Cruz said those who are writing the grant applications are focusing on projects that will result in the quick delivery of funds, create and retain jobs while maintaining transparency and accountability as well as advancing reforms.
