Previous Story
NMC okays transfer of SBDC to CDA By ALDWIN R. FAJARDO
|
Posted on Jan 25 2000
The Northern Marianas College has finally agreed to allow the transfer of the controversial Small Business Development Center to the Commonwealth Development Authority on the condition that the equipment will remain at the NMC facility until Feb. 15, 2000.
NMC acting President Jack M. Sablan met with officials of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Guam where an agreement was reached for the eventual transfer of the SBDC to CDA.
“SBDC will no longer remain in the campus because we have agreed to transfer it to CDA on condition that all the equipment will remain in the college until Feb., 15,” Mr. Sablan told members of the NMC Board of Regents.
SBA officials have said the program will be transferred to CDA due to their dissatisfaction over the way CNMI’s lone higher learning institution handled the local program which receives thousands of dollars in grants every year.
SBA did not renew the contract with the college when it expired last Dec. 31, effectively giving control to CDA.
While some government officials have persistently opposed the center’s transfer to CDA, federal officials stressed the move is intended to save the program and keep the funds in the CNMI.
Some NMC officials and legislators previously pressed Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to stop the transfer until the Federal Bureau of Investigation completes its inquiry on alleged mismanagement of the federally-funded program.
In related development, NMC is asking for a reimbursement of the expenses incurred by the college for the various activities and programs held within the confines of SBDC.
Mr. Sablan said NMC has already started collating documents to identify all the activities held in the development center that may require reimbursement for the college.
“Reimbursement is going to take place. We just need to put some documents in order. We are now awaiting information from SBA on the activities held in the center,” he added.
