Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.4 Million to Build Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in Guam

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.4 million grant to the Port Authority of Guam, Santa Rita, Guam, to make disaster-resilient infrastructure improvements needed to ensure continuity of operations. The EDA grant, to be matched with $603,272 in local investment, is expected to create or retain nearly 50 jobs.

“The Biden Administration is committed to helping Guam build back better from the damage caused by Typhoon Wutip in 2019 by developing the disaster-resilient infrastructure they need for a dynamic economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This investment will ensure that that port operations will have continuous and reliable access to fuel in the event of future natural disasters.”

“EDA plays an important role in helping communities build back stronger following natural disasters,” said Maiea Sellers, Acting Director of EDA’s Seattle Regional Office. “This project will fund a fuel pipeline system connecting the Guam Port Authority’s F1 Pier and Golf Pier, ensuring fuel delivery should either one be impacted by disaster.”

“We all remember the fuel crisis after Super Typhoon Pongsona, and this EDA grant is a wise federal investment in hardening our infrastructure to ensure community fuel resilience in the face of natural disasters,” said Congressman Michael F.Q. San Nicolas.

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20) (PDF), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.