Port Authority of Guam was awarded a $10 million grant to support upgrades at the island’s only commercial port. The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grant for Fiscal Year 2016 would increase space at Hotel wharf to handle specific project cargos such as break bulk and aggregates, and self-sustaining cargo vessel operations.
Acting Governor Tenorio/Governor Calvo congratulates the men and women at Port Authority on acquiring this competitive grant.
“Our island is growing and the Port is an essential part of that growth,” the Governor stated. “The folks at the Port, from the board to the administration and the employees understand the important role they play to our island’s economy and overall welfare. As their motto states, they truly do keep Guam and this region moving. The Calvo Tenorio Administration thanks the hard working men and women of the Port for all they do for our community.”
Acting Governor Tenorio added: “Port management and employees continue to modernize our island’s only commercial port for the economic growth ahead. We appreciate their efforts as tey work daily on this important task.”
Port Authority General Manager Joanne Brown said the rehabilitation of Hotel wharf is a necessary step in increasing the Port’s capacity and ability to meet the needs of the community.
“The Hotel wharf sat unused for 15 years. Getting it refurbished puts it back into full operation, expanding the Port’s operations and minimizing conflict within our existing shipyards,” she stated.
In an April letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, Governor Calvo reiterated his support for the Port and their effort to attain the grant:
“The Port’s impact on the quality and substance of life for residents of Guam and Micronesia cannot be overstated. As Guam can only produce limited amounts of food and products, the Port is truly the lifeline between the region and the world,” he stated.
Five things you need to know about Port Authority:
- The Port serves as a transshipment nexus for the U.S. Affiliated Islands of Micronesia, to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of the Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
- The goods coming in and out of the Port serve more than 387,630 people who live in this Rural Area.
- 90 percent of Guam’s goods are imported via ship that comes through the Port Authority.
- Public Law 13-87, passed in 1975, established the Port Authority as an autonomous agency with its own board. Their motto is “We keep the Port moving … We keep Guam moving … We keep the region moving 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”
- In these last few years, the Port has made many improvements. This Hotel wharf project would expand the Port, providing the necessary capacity to move and store cargo, including larger and bulkier items such as construction material.
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