CDBG-DR funds also intended to revitalize the local economy

Portions of the over $243 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery monies that were recently awarded by U.S. Housing and Urban Development to the CNMI will also be used for economic revitalization projects, according to the Northern Marianas Housing Corp., which will be administering the funds.

NMHC earlier outlined the division of funds as $95 million for housing, $78 million for infrastructure, and $19 million for economic revitalization.

On the latter, NMHC ranks the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport arrival/departure terminal as No. 1 on its list. The project costs $5.5 million and will call for the replacement of a portion of roof metal panels and corner flushing as well as roof waterproofing.

Another CPA project also involves the international airport. This time for its Building G commuter terminal and it comes at a cost of $1.3 million. It involves replacing the metal roof, aluminum frames and glass and fixing damage to metal and glass doors, electrical wirings and conduits, ceiling acoustic tiles, air-conditioning units and ducting, apron light poles, roll up doors, the canopy connecting to bus parking, and water damage to the interior due to mold.

Another $3.6 million has been proposed for various projects of the Marianas Visitors Authority, namely improvement and beautification projects for the Grotto, Bird Island Lookout, Banzai Cliff, the Beach Road and Puerto Rico pathways, Laulau Dive Site, Sabana Peace Memorial, Teteto Beach, Guata Beach, Bird Sanctuary Site, and the Rota Roundhouse.

NMHC also wants $5.5 million awarded to MVA for its marketing and promotions activities, while allocating another $145,200 to CPA for upgrades to the Tinian International Airport runway/taxiway and departure and arrival terminals. Rota International Airport has also been proposed to get $3.3 million to improve its terminal building and parking lot.

The Northern Marianas Technical Institute will also be getting much-needed infusion of funds under the NMHC proposal as $1.2 million is earmarked for workforce development.

NMHC also came out with an “Alternate Project Ranking” for the CDBG-DR funding. Topping the list is $4.5 million for CUC’s As Matuis Water Tank, followed by $825,000 each for the Tinian Health Center and Rota Health Center, and $658,401 for the Northern Marianas College Bookstore.