AGP Executive Report

Power and Utilities: GPA is weighing a $37.5 million Bank of Guam credit line to help manage fuel costs and avoid major rate hikes, alongside a $4 million plan to bury about a mile of power lines. The system has reached 99% of its load after Typhoon Champi, and water conservation measures have ended. Biosecurity and Shipping: Researchers are developing a field-ready DNA test that could detect brown tree snakes in minutes, helping prevent the invasive species from spreading from Guam through Pacific cargo and transport links. Tourism: Guam welcomed about 688,000 visitors in fiscal 2026, down 5.6% year over year; a $3.95 million revenue shortfall adds pressure on the visitor economy. Seabed Mining: A Dec. 16 lease sale will cover an area about 47 miles from Guam, raising questions about environmental safeguards and who benefits; CNMI Gov. David Apatang is seeking local revenue, jobs and protections. Construction Jobs: NAVFAC Marianas will recruit architects, engineers and construction specialists at a Guam job fair on Oct. 26.

Utility Recovery: GPA says 99% of system load is back online after Super Typhoon Champi, while GWA has ended water-conservation measures; crews are still addressing isolated power problems. Tourism: Guam welcomed about 688,000 visitors in FY2026, down 5.6% year over year, and GVB reported a $3.95 million revenue shortfall. Japan arrivals rose 3.1%, but that growth wasn’t enough to offset the overall decline. Seabed Mining: Federal officials set a Dec. 16 Marianas lease auction, with the nearest area about 47 miles from Guam. The CNMI is seeking revenue-sharing and environmental protections, while Guam’s delegate has called for the sale to be halted. Construction Hiring: NAVFAC Marianas will hold an Oct. 26 job fair in Tumon, recruiting U.S. citizens for engineering, construction management and related infrastructure roles. Port Operations: The Port Authority says all gantry cranes are restored following high-wind damage.

Tourism: GVB ended FY26 about $3.95 million below projected revenue, with visitor arrivals down 5.6% from FY25. The shortfall is expected to be absorbed by the bureau. Energy: CNMI regulators are scrutinizing CUC’s proposed $245 million solar-and-battery deal ahead of an Oct. 31 financing deadline, as residents face possible double-digit rate increases. Military Construction: The Air Force is rebuilding Tinian’s abandoned North Field as a contingency airfield supporting Andersen Air Force Base. NAVFAC Marianas will hold a construction and engineering job fair on Guam Oct. 26. Ports and Shipping: Guam’s three gantry cranes are back in cargo service after storm damage, though one still needs repairs. Tinian has resumed restricted daylight cargo operations. Seabed Mining: Federal officials set a Nov. 19 American Samoa lease auction and a Dec. 16 Marianas sale, with the nearest lease area about 47 miles from Guam. A lawsuit challenging the American Samoa sale could also affect the Marianas plan.

Utilities and Recovery: Guam Power Authority reported power service 99% restored after Typhoon Champi, while Guam Waterworks Authority said about 177 customers remained without water. Ports and Cargo: Guam’s three gantry cranes are back in cargo operations, though Crane 5 still has movement restrictions; Tinian has resumed daylight cargo operations, with port restrictions still in place. Construction and Jobs: NAVFAC Marianas will hold an Oct. 26 job fair for engineers, construction specialists and other professionals. The Guam Program Management Office has ended its mission, with its infrastructure responsibilities transferred to permanent Navy and Marine Corps offices. Mining: CNMI Gov. David Apatang is seeking local revenue, jobs and environmental safeguards in a proposed seabed-mining lease sale, while a separate lawsuit challenging a neighboring sale could affect plans near Guam. Tourism: Guam Visitors Bureau and South Korea’s SBS Medianet signed a deal to develop media and business projects aimed at attracting more Korean visitors.

Seabed Mining: CNMI Gov. David Apatang is demanding revenue sharing, local jobs, port investment and environmental protections before offshore mining proceeds. A lawsuit challenging a similar American Samoa lease sale could affect plans near Guam, where officials want the sale halted. Storm Recovery and Logistics: Guam’s power system is 99% restored, with about 177 water customers still affected. Tinian has resumed restricted, daylight cargo operations, Rota has reopened, and all three Port of Guam gantry cranes are back in cargo service, though one still needs repairs. Infrastructure: Guam is among the U.S. territories eligible for a share of $1.6 billion in federal disaster funding for damaged roads and bridges; no Guam-specific amount was announced. Workforce: GCA Trades Academy marked 20 years, with more than 7,000 students earning construction-industry certificates and plans to expand its training facilities. Tourism: Guam Visitors Bureau’s new partnership with South Korea’s SBS Medianet aims to promote the island through travel and lifestyle content and attract more Korean visitors.

Storm Recovery: Guam Power Authority says power is 99% restored, while about 177 customers remained without water as of Tuesday night. The Port of Guam has returned all three gantry cranes to cargo service after high-wind damage; Crane 5 is conditionally certified and still needs repairs to move under its own power. Tourism: The Guam Visitors Bureau has partnered with South Korea’s SBS Medianet on media and travel content to attract more Korean visitors and promote local culture and experiences. Deep-Sea Mining: A lawsuit seeking to block a seabed lease sale near American Samoa challenges federal authority in a case with potential implications for a planned sale near the Marianas. Workforce: The GCA Trades Academy marked 20 years of construction training, with more than 7,000 students earning industry certificates and plans to expand its campus.

Utility Recovery: GPA reported 88% of Guam’s power feeders restored Tuesday, while about 635 GWA customer accounts remained without water after Super Typhoon Champi. Crews are reconnecting wells and pumps as agencies urge water conservation. Port and Shipping: Guam’s port authority has returned a second gantry crane to service, with repairs continuing on a third. Guam, Tinian and Rota ports remained under heavy-weather restrictions as Saipan reopened. Workforce Development: GCA Trades Academy marked 20 years, with more than 7,000 students earning construction-industry certificates and plans to expand its Barrigada campus. Tourism: GVB’s new partnership with South Korea’s SBS Medianet aims to promote Guam through travel and lifestyle content, including sports and wellness tourism.

Storm Recovery: GPA says 88% of Guam’s power feeders were energized Tuesday, while GWA reported about 635 customers without water Monday night. Telecom crews are also restoring connections after Super Typhoon Champi. Port Operations: Guam’s port remains under heavy-weather restrictions, but a second ship-to-shore crane has returned to service; two cranes are operating while repairs continue on a third. Workforce Development: The GCA Trades Academy marked 20 years, having helped more than 7,000 students earn construction-industry credentials as Guam works to build its skilled workforce. Tourism: GVB has partnered with South Korea’s SBS Medianet to create travel and lifestyle content aimed at growing Guam’s Korean visitor market.

Port Operations: Saipan reopened to commercial traffic after Typhoon Champi, while Guam, Tinian and Rota remain under the Coast Guard’s highest port restriction; mariners are cautioned that navigation aids may have shifted. Utilities and Telecom: Guam crews are restoring power, water and network service. About 70% of power feeders were online Monday morning, with 653 water customers still without service; Docomo reported its southern network at 78% operation. Port Infrastructure: Guam’s Port Authority has returned a second ship-to-shore crane to service after storm damage, with repairs continuing on another crane. Maritime Leadership: The American Association of Port Authorities confirmed Guam Port Authority General Manager Rory Respicio as the first director representing its Americas Region, expanding the island’s voice in national port policy.

Champi Recovery: Guam’s utilities and telecom companies are restoring service after the typhoon. As of Monday morning, 70% of power feeders were online, demand was at 52% of normal, and 653 water customers remained without service. Docomo Pacific reported full mobile service in northern and central Guam, with its southern network at 78%. Mawar Reimbursements: GPA says it has received no FEMA payment for Typhoon Mawar, despite $16.7 million obligated; a $739,828 payment received Oct. 6 was for Typhoon Mangkhut. Port Operations: The Port Authority restored a second ship-to-shore crane after storm damage, while repairs to a third continue. Tourism: Guam’s Micronesia Island Fair has been postponed as the island focuses on recovery.

Pacific Infrastructure: Air Force RED HORSE engineers deployed from Andersen Air Force Base have restored historic runways and infrastructure on Tinian, preparing remote airfields for future operations. Utilities: After Typhoon Champi passed south of Guam, about half the island remained without power Sunday morning. GPA crews began assessing damage, while 98 GWA production wells were online, mostly on generators; some areas reported low or no water pressure. Tourism: Hotels sheltered visitors as flights were canceled. Major hotels and Guam Memorial Hospital retained power, but normal tourism operations have no confirmed restart date. Storm Recovery: The Legislature approved an additional $15 million for Champi response and recovery, including emergency services, repairs and debris removal.

Typhoon Recovery: Champi passed about 10 miles south of Guam, sparing the island a direct hit but leaving power service fluctuating. About half of GPA’s feeders were online Sunday morning, and crews were preparing to assess damage and begin repairs when conditions were safe. Water and Utilities: GWA reported 98 production wells operating, most on generators, with all wastewater plants and sewer pump stations online; some areas reported low or no water pressure. Storm Funding: Lawmakers approved an additional $15 million for Champi response and recovery, after passing $12 million in earlier preparedness funding. Business and Tourism: Guam’s commercial port suspended operations as the storm approached, while the Guam Visitors Bureau postponed the Guam Micronesia Island Fair, citing safety, site conditions and the community’s recovery needs.

Typhoon Response: Guam ordered residents and visitors to shelter as Category 4 Typhoon Champi approached, with winds of 130 mph and a possible pass near or over southern Guam early Sunday. Coastal evacuations are underway, and one shelter has reached capacity. Emergency Funding: Lawmakers approved an additional $15 million for storm response and recovery, bringing recent Champi appropriations to $27 million. Essential Services: GWA reported 101 production wells online Saturday night and no storm-related service disruptions, while warning that power fluctuations could affect water pressure. The commercial port is closed, some flights are canceled, and the Guam Micronesia Island Fair has been postponed.

Typhoon Champi: Guam has raised readiness to its highest level as the Category 2 storm approaches, with the commercial port shut and flight cancellations affecting the Marianas. Agencies and businesses are preparing for outages and service disruptions; lawmakers have approved $27 million for storm response and recovery. Utilities: Guam Waterworks Authority plans to offer $200 million in bonds for new projects and debt refinancing, as it prepares wells, generators and water supplies for the storm. Tourism and Small Business: The Guam Micronesia Island Fair has been postponed, and the attorney general warns businesses against storm-related price hikes. Workforce and Environment: Six new GROW Corps members have begun training for watershed restoration jobs, including reforestation work aimed at reducing sediment runoff that harms coral reefs.

Storm Readiness: Guam entered COR 2 ahead of Tropical Storm Champi, with utilities preparing for outages and water disruptions. GWA said 100 production wells were online and warned residents to be ready for possible boil-water notices. Lawmakers approved a further $15 million for storm response after an earlier $12 million appropriation; the attorney general also warned businesses against price gouging. Utility Finance: GWA plans to offer $200 million in bonds next week to fund capital work and refinance debt, with ratings agencies citing its financial position alongside risks from energy costs and aging infrastructure. Construction & Workforce: Guam’s next governor will inherit the stalled hospital replacement plan, while the GCA Trades Academy marks 20 years of training skilled workers for construction and technical careers.

Storm Response: Guam senators approved an additional $15 million for Tropical Storm Champi recovery after an earlier $12 million appropriation, while Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero declared a state of emergency and COR 2. The funding supports response operations, with reporting required on how it is spent. Business Continuity: Telecom providers checked facilities, backup power and fuel supplies ahead of the storm. The attorney general also warned merchants, landlords and fuel providers against disaster-related price gouging. Airport Infrastructure: Passenger traffic at A.B. Won Pat International Airport was nearly flat month to month, while the airport authority continues seeking funding for fuel infrastructure improvements. Workforce Development: Guam’s GCA Trades Academy marks 20 years, now serving an estimated 300 to 350 students weekly and training workers for construction and technical careers. Island Industries: Guam’s mayors are seeking a Marianas-wide resolution opposing deep-sea mining, while a University of Guam-linked program is giving students hands-on experience with regenerative farming and agricultural technology.