Community Project Funding
To increase transparency, Members are required to post information on each Community Project Request submitted to the Appropriations Committee on their website. The projects listed below are not in any particular order, but reflect the priorities and needs of the Marianas.
Fiscal Year 2024 Project Requests:
Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies
- Project: Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Hyperbaric Acquisition
- Amount Requested: $6,354,300
- Intended Recipient: Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, Hospital Drive, Garapan, Saipan MP, 96950.
- Explanation of the Request: The project involves the acquisition of a magnetic resonance imaging machine and hyperbaric chamber. The procurement will minimize off-island healthcare resource utilization by providing residents access to care on island. Access to specialized equipment will help minimize the delays to care, as physicians will send patients off-island less for diagnosis.
- Project: Medical Supplies Office Warehouse
- Amount Requested: $2,425,000
- Intended Recipient: Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, Hospital Drive, Garapan, Saipan MP, 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project would construct a cost-effective steel frame 5000 sq. ft. warehouse in a non-flood zone risk area. The steel structure warehouse will provide additional space needed that the current warehouse lacks and allows for air quality mitigation, as well as ensuring an acceptable level of safety and quality when it comes to storing medical supplies for the Marianas' lone hospital.
- Project: Phase III: 300kW Solar Photovoltaic Design-Built Integration
- Amount Requested: $2,608,000
- Intended Recipient: Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, Hospital Drive, Garapan, Saipan MP, 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project would install an additional 300-kilowatt solar photovoltaic design-built integration project that will augment another three carport-solar structures as part of its Phase III facility plans. Project will include a net metering system between the hospital and the electric power grid, allowing the hospital to use stored electricity when needed and help defray the high cost of electricity.
- Project: Solar PV Installation at CNMI Correctional Facility
- Amount Requested: $1,050,560
- Intended Recipient: Department of Corrections, Tekken Street Susupe, Saipan, MP 96950.
- Explanation of the Request: The project would install a Solar PV system that will service the correctional facility to not only reduce the utility costs of operating the facility but also reduce the Northern Mariana Islands' carbon footprint by reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels. The proposed PV system will include the installation of 624 monocrystalline silicon panels at 400 watts rated output.
- Project: As Gonno Homestead Infrastructure Development Project
- Amount Requested: $7,800,000
- Intended Recipient: Department of Public Lands, Joeten Dandan Building, Saipan MP, 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project will provide for the installation of water, sewer, and underground electrical lines for over 440 house-lots issued to new landowners.
Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
- Project: Courthouse Security
- Amount Requested: $850,000
- Intended Recipient: Northern Mariana Islands Judiciary, Guma’ Hustisia, Susupe, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project will provide for security upgrades for Marianas courthouses on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian to meet national standards.
Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
- Project: Dandan Homestead Sewerline Project
- Amount Requested: $18,100,000
- Intended Recipient: Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Joeten Dandan Building, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project would install sewer line infrastructure for the village of Dandan connecting to the existing sewer main, eliminating the use of onsite septic systems in the area thereby protecting the groundwater supply from contamination.
- Project: Sadog Tasi Wastewater Treatment Plant Underground Storage Tank Remediation
- Amount Requested: $3,900,000
- Intended Recipient: Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Joeten Dandan Building, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project includes the design and construction to remediate a 3-million-gallon World War II era underground storage tank which collapsed at the Sadog Tasi Wastewater Treatment Plant. Portions of the plant, including several buildings and vehicles, have been declared unsafe and inaccessible, impeding the ability to provide essential services.
- Project: PFAS Remediation System - Granular Activated Carbon Replacement
- Amount Requested: $1,200,000
- Intended Recipient: Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, Joeten Dandan Building, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project will equip drinking water wells within the Isley and Obyan well fields with additional Granular Activated Carbon filtration systems to reduce PFOA/PFAS concentrations to below maximum contaminant levels and provide further system performance monitoring.
Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
- Project: Route 310 (Tapochao Road) Construction
- Amount Requested: $14,000,000
- Intended Recipient: Department of Public Works, Oleai Joeten Commercial Center, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project would upgrade Route 310 roadway from Capitol Hill towards Mount Tapochao. The completed project will provide safe, reliable access for residents of Tapochao Road, improve stormwater diversion, and ensure critical access to the Homeland Security Emergency Management Tower.
- Project: Route 36 Phase 1 Station
- Amount Requested: $8,000,000
- Intended Recipient: Department of Public Works, Oleai Joeten Commercial Center, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project would construct an all-weather roadway on the northern coast of Saipan. The completed project will provide an alternate route in the northeast portion of Saipan, reducing traffic congestion on Route 30.
- Project: Route 33 Improvements Phase 1
- Amount Requested: $6,000,000
- Intended Recipient: Department of Public Works, Oleai Joeten Commercial Center, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project will provide resurfacing and other improvements to a significant portion of Beach Road to address safety issues, traffic efficiency, stormwater diversion, and roadway aesthetics.
- Project: Route 30 Safety Improvements Phase 1
- Amount Requested: $12,000,000
- Intended Recipient: Department of Public Works, Oleai Joeten Commercial Center, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project will improve the existing roadway between the villages of Chalan Kiya and Gualo Rai in Saipan. Upon completion, this project will reduce traffic congestion and improve public safety.
- Project: Rota Public Market
- Amount Requested: $3,000,000
- Intended Recipient: Office of the Mayor, Municipality of Rota, Tatachok Village, Rota, MP 96951
- Explanation of the Request: The project will develop a public market on Rota that will focus on the sale of fresh and healthy products that are grown, prepared, and crafted locally. The public market shall promote businesses that are locally owned and operated and be an economic engine that will create entrepreneurial opportunities and jobs.
- Project: SCBAs for CNMI Airports
- Amount Requested: $357,000
- Intended Recipient: Commonwealth Ports Authority, Saipan International Airport, Saipan, MP 96950
- Explanation of the Request: The project will procure 30 sets of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for use by Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting personnel in all three airports in the Mariana Islands.