Governor Lemanu And Congresswoman Amata Welcome $3.8 Million In Project Funds.
Press Release
Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga, Lieutenant Governor Talauega E.V. Ale, and Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata are welcoming good news of federal funds totaling $3,866,108 for a series of projects upon notification from the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) for the American Samoa Government (ASG) through the Office of Insular Affairs' (OIA).
"I commend Madam Secretary Haaland and Mr. Pula on their commitment to always making American Samoa a priority. The funding that has been made available and the approved TAP and MAP projects will play a major role in carrying forth this Administration's efforts as we continue to provide adequate services for the Territory. In addition, these short-term projects will be beneficial in the development of several key areas that need development, such as economic development, disaster assistance, capacity building, public safety/emergencies, health initiatives, education, and energy, to name a few. I also want to recognize the great work by the Honorable Amata and staff for pushing forward on helping to secure assistance for the Territory."
"Support from the federal government is vital to the Territory's ability to provide the services we depend on," said Congresswoman Amata. "Congratulations to Governor Lemanu and Lieutenant Governor Talauega and so many who work on all these efforts. Thank you to my friend Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, OIA, and Acting Assistant Secretary Nikolao Pula for this attention to American Samoa's needs."
The DOI/OIA is approving the following amounts and local projects:
$269,000 to the Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management for the ASG Building Survey project;
$250,000 to the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources for a feasibility study and design for a multipurpose and integrated Malaloa Marina;
$243,000 to the Office of the Secretary of American Samoa for Modernization project;
$225,000 to the Office of the Governor for Improving Cyber Security and Upgrading IT;
$210,000 to the Department of Treasury for the Digital Archive of Treasury Documents
Project;
$175,000 to the Department of Treasury for Tax System Replacement Feasibility Study and Design Document;
$150,000 to the Political Status Office for the Constitutional Convention project; and
$98,844 for the Department of Public Safety for Fire Equipment and Gear.
OIA will also be providing TAP funding to semi-autonomous agencies and non-profit organizations for the following projects:
$150,000 to LBJ Tropical Medical Center for the Maternal Fetal Medicine Telehealth Training project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on April 20, 2021;
$256,000 to the American Samoa Visitor's Bureau for the Local Visitor Attraction Product project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on April 1, 2021;
$85,290 to the American Samoa Visitor's Bureau for the design portion of the Fagatogo/Upper Fagaalu Reservoir Heritage Trail project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on April 1, 2021;
$255,811 to the Development Bank of American Samoa for the Virtual Banking project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on April 1, 2021; and
$83,163 to the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning organization for the Assessment of Library Services in American Samoa, as detailed in the proposal submitted on March 31, 2021.
In addition, the following Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP) funding is being awarded to ASG:
$175,000 to the Department of Commerce for the Office Expansion and Upgrade Project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on April 1, 2021;
$200,000 to the Shipyard Authority for the Maintenance and Security Operations Improvement Project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on April 1, 2021; and
$280,000 to the Department of Public Works for the Gas Station Rehabilitation, as detailed in the proposal submitted on April 27, 2020.
MAP funding is also being awarded to LBJ Tropical Medical Center for the following projects, as detailed in the proposals submitted on April 1, 2021:
$60,000 for the Safety Office and Life Safety Codes Training for Facilities & Engineering Dept Support Staff Project; and
$150,000 for the Property Management -- Facilities & Engineering & Support Staff Training project.
OIA will also be awarding CARES Act funding to LBJ Tropical Medical Center in the amount of $550,000 for the Emergency Medical Services Maintenance & Responder Training Project, as detailed in the proposal submitted on April 21, 2021.
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