Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo has introduced the “Territories Economic Development Opportunities Act,” which allows the U.S. territories to participate in federal government-funded highway discretionary programs. Such programs include funding for ferries or ferry terminals, as well as the Federal Bridge Program.
Current law prohibits the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands from competing for these programs.
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“The ‘Territories Economic Development Opportunity Act’ ensures that the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are able to compete for discretionary programs administered by the Federal Highway Administration,” said Bordallo. “This bill ensures that the territories have the same opportunity as any other jurisdiction for federal resources to improve their infrastructure systems. We have serious and immediate infrastructure needs on Guam, and we should have the same opportunity as any state to compete for these critical funds.”
The bill was co-sponsored by Delegate Donna Christensen of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Delegate Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa; and Delegate Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands