AGP Executive Report

Education & Real Estate: The long-vacant Tumon Bay Mall is back in play, with iLearn Academy Charter School seeking to move in and target a 2027 school year, pending zoning variance, a tentative development plan, and public meetings. Local Business: Grease Monkey Drive-In in Tamuning opened this week as a car-community hangout, but is running limited hours while staffing and ordering tech are set up. Healthcare Construction: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement for its Maternal and Child Health renovation, certifying $17.85M for Phase One and aiming to start work within 30 days. Tourism & Travel Trade: GVB hosted the Guam MegaFAM Trade Show with 200+ local exhibitors and international partners, while early August data shows South Korean arrivals down 37.3% year-over-year. Waste & Utilities: GSWA is moving toward an Oct. 1 rate increase tied to the Islandwide Collection Plan, with rules and customer assistance programs advancing. Aviation & Airport Retail: Avolta is set to take over A.B. Won Pat airport speciality retail and food & beverage concessions after GIAA board approval. Deep-Sea Mining Pushback: Guam lawmakers and senators are renewing pressure as federal seabed mining timelines advance, including concerns after a key regulator’s exit and fights over fast-track review. Marine Energy Planning: UOG and federal researchers are studying Tanguisson for possible OTEC and South Tumon Bay for seawater air conditioning, with AI data-center financing also discussed.

Pacific Defense & Infrastructure: The U.S. Navy is buying five deployable Expeditionary Maintenance and Repair Facilities under a $47.77M deal, using containerized modules to spread ship repair capacity across the Indo-Pacific when fixed bases are exposed. Leadership & Military Personnel: President Trump nominated Vietnam-displaced veteran Hung Cao to lead the Navy, teeing up Senate confirmation for the acting secretary. Guam Tourism & Travel Demand: Guam’s Visitors Bureau flags South Korea arrivals as a “key area of concern,” down 37.3% (9,561 visitors from Aug. 1–12), while a MegaFAM trade push brought 200+ international partners and media to experience Guam. Local Health & Construction: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement for Phase One of a $17.8M maternal and newborn renovation, with work expected to start within 30 days. Waste & Household Costs: GSWA is moving toward another Oct. 1 rate increase tied to islandwide collection rules, with possible customer assistance options. Deep-Sea Mining Policy: Guam lawmakers and senators are pressing for slower, tougher oversight as federal seabed mining timelines advance, including House action that keeps deep-sea mining eligible for expedited review. Marine Energy & Aquaculture: UOG and federal researchers are exploring OTEC and seawater air conditioning sites, while a UOG workshop will teach tilapia raising plus salted-and-smoked processing.

Marianas Deep-Sea Mining: Guam and CNMI voices are pushing back as federal regulators move toward a Dec. 16 Marianas lease sale, with senators citing concerns over rushed oversight and limited local say after the acting Marine Minerals Administration director’s exit. Tourism & Local Business: Guam’s MegaFAM Trade Show drew 200+ international partners, media, and influencers, spotlighting hotels, food, shopping, and local makers as GVB ramps up tourism outreach. Healthcare Construction: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement for a $17.8M maternal and newborn care renovation, with Phase One certified and work expected to start within 30 days. Waste & Utilities: GSWA is set for another Oct. 1 rate increase tied to islandwide collection rollout, while power and school repair proposals are circulating after expected excess Section 30 funds. Aquaculture & Food Processing: UOG Land Grant is hosting a “Tilapia to Table” workshop on raising, salting/smoking, and turning fish waste into fertilizer. Energy Planning: UOG and PNNL are weighing Tanguisson for OTEC and South Tumon Bay for seawater air conditioning, with possible AI data center funding discussed. Education Operations: Tiyan High School repairs are mostly done, but a Sept. 11 inspection could trigger a double-session schedule into the semester.

Healthcare Construction: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement approvals and certified $17.848M for Phase One of its Maternal and Child Health renovation, with work expected to start within 30 days after a notice to proceed; the project will modernize labor and delivery, maternity, postpartum, nursery and NICU space. Waste & Utilities: GSWA is set for another residential rate increase Oct. 1 as it moves toward an islandwide collection plan under Public Law 38-39, including new rules, possible penalties, and a customer assistance program. Tourism & Business: GVB hosted its first MegaFam Tour in five to six years, bringing 240 travel agents and international media/influencers, while also launching a new online portal for the Tourism Works Micro-Grant to streamline applications. Aviation Concessions: Guam airport concession awards are moving forward, with Dufry International provisionally ranked for specialty retail and master food & beverage contracts, and Avolta positioned to take over specialty retail plus food & beverage. Aquaculture & Food Processing: UOG Land Grant will hold a first-time “Tilapia to Table” workshop (Sept. 12) linking tilapia raising with salting/smoking and turning fish waste into fertilizer. Education Facilities: Tiyan High School repairs are largely done, but roof and remaining work could keep students on a double-session schedule through the semester pending a Sept. 11 inspection. Public Finance: Senators are racing to use expected excess Section 30 funds, proposing power bill credits, public school repairs, and funding toward a new Simon Sanchez High School. Policy & Industry Risk: A House Rules Committee move keeps seabed mining eligible for FAST-41 expedited review, drawing criticism from Delegate Moylan and others.

Healthcare & Construction: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority cleared final procurement approvals for Phase I of its $17.8M maternal and newborn care renovation, with $17,848,305 certified and work expected to start within 30 days after a notice to proceed—renovating and expanding labor, delivery, postpartum, nursery and NICU spaces. Marine Energy & AI Funding: A UOG and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory team is evaluating the abandoned Tanguisson power plant site for an ocean thermal energy conversion project, South Tumon Bay for seawater air conditioning, and whether AI data center backers could help finance marine energy. Education & Facilities: Tiyan High School repairs are largely done, but roof and remaining work could keep students on a proposed double-session schedule through the semester if a Sept. 11 inspection goes well. Aquaculture & Food Processing: UOG Land Grant will host a “Tilapia to Table” workshop (Sept. 12) covering raising tilapia, salting/smoking fish, and turning fish waste into fertilizer. Aviation Concessions: Guam airport concession updates move forward as Avolta is provisionally set to take over specialty retail and master food & beverage contracts at A.B. Won Pat, pending final negotiations. Seabed Mining Policy: Delegate James Moylan’s bid to block seabed mining from FAST-41 expedited permitting failed after the House Rules Committee declined to advance his amendment. Tourism Grants: GVB launched a new online portal for the Tourism Works Micro-Grant to streamline applications and improve transparency.

Healthcare Capital Projects: Guam Memorial Hospital Authority is moving ahead on its long-stalled $28M maternity ward renovation, with $17.8M certified for Phase 1 and construction planned in four stages so maternal and newborn services can keep running; work is expected to start within 30 days of the Notice to Proceed. Local Governance & Education Funding: Senators are pushing “excess” Section 30 money into power bill credits, public school repairs, and a new Simon Sanchez High School, after Guam’s expected Sept. 15 advance payment. Aquaculture & Food Processing: UOG Land Grant is hosting a “Tilapia to Table” workshop (Sept. 12) covering raising tilapia, salting/smoking for shelf-stable products, and turning fish waste into fertilizer. Energy & Reliability: Guam Power Authority says the Ukudu steam turbine is back online after a prolonged outage, aiming to restore full capacity and reduce grid stress. Tourism & Airport Concessions: GIAA is advancing Dufry International as the top-ranked bidder for A.B. Won Pat airport retail and master food & beverage contracts, pending final talks. Regional Security: Pacific leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum criticized China’s missile test for insufficient warning, calling for advance notification and transparency. Defense Industry: The Marine Corps is seeking 3D CT scanners for cracked body armor, with Guam listed for deployment.

Marianas Mining: The acting Marine Minerals Administration director, Matt Giacona, is set to resign Sept. 4 as the proposed Dec. 16 seabed mining lease sale moves forward, with Guam still lacking a formal role and no successor named. Healthcare & Construction: Guam Memorial Hospital is finally moving ahead on its $17.8M maternity ward renovation after 10 years, with Phase I procurement approved and work expected to start within 30 days. Education & Facilities: Tiyan High School repairs are mostly done, but roof and remaining work could keep both Tiyan and Simon A. Sanchez on a double-session schedule through the semester if a Sept. 11 inspection goes well. Aviation & Concessions: Avolta is provisionally set to take over A.B. Won Pat Airport specialty retail and master food & beverage contracts, while Dufry International is conditionally ranked top for the main retail and food & beverage bids. Tourism & Local Food: GVB launched a new online portal for the Tourism Works Micro-Grant, and UOG Land Grant hosted “Tilapia to Table” training tying aquaculture to salted and smoked fish products. Power & Energy: GPA says the Ukudu plant’s steam turbine is back online after a long repair stretch, helping restore generation capacity. Port & Security: Lawmakers are considering a bill to require standardized high-security container seals to reduce seal discrepancies and strengthen cargo integrity. Remittances: JuanPay added Western Union transfers across about 1,400 Philippine locations, with Guam/NMI/Palau included in Western Union’s regional push.

Aviation & Defense Posture: The first permanent F-15EX Eagle II jet for Kadena Air Base left Boeing’s St. Louis facility for Japan, signaling a shift back to permanently assigned fighters to bolster regional air defense. Local School Infrastructure: Tiyan High School repairs are largely done, but roof and safety work could keep both Tiyan and Simon A. Sanchez on a proposed double-session schedule until a Sept. 11 inspection. Tourism & Airport Concessions: GVB launched a new online portal for its Tourism Works Micro-Grant, while Avolta was provisionally set to take over A.B. Won Pat airport speciality retail and master food & beverage contracts; Dufry was also named top-ranked bidder for concessions. Aquaculture & Food Production: UOG Land Grant’s “Tilapia to Table” workshop links tilapia raising with salting, smoking, and value-added fish processing for shelf-stable local food. Port & Cargo Security: Lawmakers advanced a bill to require standardized, high-security shipping container seals to reduce seal discrepancies and strengthen port security. Energy & Reliability: Guam Power Authority cleared the Ukudu steam turbine to return to full load after an extended outage, aiming to stabilize generation and reduce fuel strain. Regional Governance: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero pushed for Guam to gain full Pacific Islands Forum membership, arguing territory status limits funding and meaningful regional voice.

Pacific Islands Forum Push: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero urged Pacific Islands Forum leaders to grant Guam full membership, arguing the territory status leaves Guam “watching through the window” while limiting access to financing and partnerships. Port Security & Trade: Lawmakers advanced a bill to require standardized, high-security shipping container seals meeting ISO specs, after Guam customs logged dozens of seal discrepancies in 2024 and 2025. Power Reliability: Guam Power Authority cleared the Ukudu steam turbine back to full load after a long repair stretch, aiming to stabilize generation and reduce outages. Education Infrastructure: Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane introduced funding to boost construction of a new Simon Sanchez High School, using nearly $19.9M in added Section 30 money. Tourism Pipeline: Guam Visitors Bureau launched a Mega FAM Tour bringing 200+ travel partners and media to connect local businesses with international markets. Local Governance & Oversight: An audit found major procurement and contract administration problems in a GDOE air-conditioning purchase, citing millions in questioned costs and unresolved work. Fuel Costs: Fuel prices on Guam jumped again, with regular up to $5.929 and diesel to $6.999 per gallon.

Energy & Power Reliability: GPA says the Ukudu steam turbine is back online after a 2+ month repair stretch, restoring the island’s main 198MW generator toward full load and reducing outage risk. Regional Policy & Security: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero urged Pacific Islands Forum leaders to grant Guam full membership, arguing territory status limits financing and a meaningful voice; leaders also pressed for a precautionary pause on deep-seabed mining. Maritime Trade & Port Operations: The Port Authority approved a one-year extension of the Hotel Wharf lease for Black Construction, adding $5.47M in lease revenue; lawmakers also advanced a bill to require standardized high-security container seals after customs found broken/missing seals and missing items. Cost of Living: Fuel prices ticked up again—regular to $5.929, premium $6.319, diesel $6.999—amid ongoing regional energy pressure. Tourism & Business Development: GVB is set to host a Guam Mega FAM Tour bringing 200+ travel partners and media to connect local operators with overseas markets. Education & Procurement Oversight: GDOE pushed a Tiyan campus reopening inspection to Sept. 11, while an OPA audit flagged major procurement and payment control problems in a 2023 school AC purchase. Defense & Guam’s Role: JTF-M and JRM met Guam lawmakers to reinforce “One Guam” civil-military coordination as the island remains a key regional defense platform.

Pacific Military Readiness: Five US Navy aviation squadrons are taking on bigger roles across the Indo-Pacific, including Guam-based MQ-4C Triton unmanned patrol operations that fly long endurance missions over thousands of miles. Local Contracting: Three tribally owned firms won a $400M Air Force Pacific advisory contract, with work sites including Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Education & Construction: Tiyan High’s reopening is pushed to Sept. 11 after inspections; if cleared, students may return to a split double-session schedule while roof repairs continue. Government Oversight: An audit found major procurement and contract administration problems in GDOE’s 2023 school air-conditioning purchasing, citing millions in questioned costs and unresolved unit installations. Port & Utilities: The Port Authority approved its FY2027 budget and is seeking a PUC petition to extend/modify a $2.8M engineering design contract for the fuel pipeline system; separately, PUC approved GWA’s 6.25% rate increase effective Oct. 1. Tourism Industry: GVB launched an online portal for its Tourism Works Micro-Grant and is preparing for a Sept. 3–7 Guam Mega FAM with 200+ international travel partners. Biosecurity: CNMI tightened Guam cargo inspections for brown tree snake prevention after sightings on Rota.

Government & Infrastructure: Guam’s Port Authority board approved the FY2027 Budget Act and officers, keeping modernization on track while managing weather and aging equipment. Public Works & Schools: Tiyan High’s reopening is now tied to a Sept. 11 health inspection; if cleared, students could shift to double-session the following week while roof repairs continue. Education Accountability: A GDOE investigative audit found significant procurement and payment-control problems tied to a 2023 school air-conditioning purchase, flagging unresolved work and millions in questioned costs. Utilities & Cost of Living: The PUC approved GWA’s 6.25% rate increase for non-lifeline water and wastewater components effective Oct. 1, with bills rising for residential and other customer classes. Tourism & Business Growth: GVB is bringing 200+ travel partners and media for the Guam Mega FAM Sept. 3–7, plus launched an online portal for its Tourism Works Micro-Grant. Energy Finance: Guam Power Authority is seeking up to $375M in bond borrowing aimed at upgrades without raising rates. Local Economy & Facilities: GCIC cut the ribbon on one elevator after nearly two years, signaling broader building reinvestment. Trade & Security: Customs reported tampering and missing items tied to broken shipping seals, as lawmakers push higher penalties and tighter seal requirements.

Guam Trade & Security: Customs says some Guam-bound containers show broken seals and missing items, and warns that without secure seals it can’t tell what’s inside—pushing Sen. Therese Terlaje’s Bill 310-38 to mandate high-security seals and raise penalties up to $100,000. Utilities & Infrastructure: The Public Utilities Commission approved GWA’s 6.25% nonlifeline rate increase plus a 3.55% legislative surcharge effective Oct. 1, and separately GWA will put $24.3M into Northern Sewer Transmission Systems design work tied to a 2024 EPA consent decree. Port & Energy Projects: The Port Authority received approval to petition the PUC to extend/modify a $2.8M engineering design contract for the fuel pipeline system, while Pacific Energy’s Inalåhan solar project cleared the Hybrid Land Use Commission with conditions. Tourism & Business: GVB launched an online grants portal for its Tourism Works Micro-Grant, and Guam’s Mega FAM Tour runs Sept. 3–7 to connect local businesses with international travel partners. Regional Diplomacy: Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero urged Guam’s full membership in the Pacific Islands Forum, arguing Guam should help shape regional economic, security, and ocean initiatives. Defense Readiness: A watchdog report flags underfunded maintenance for mission-critical DoD facilities, including on Guam.

Port & Energy Infrastructure: The Port Authority of Guam can petition the PUC to extend and modify a $2.8M architectural/engineering design contract for the port’s fuel pipeline system, expanding design scope after federal EDA changes and extending the work term through June 2027. Power Financing: GPA says it plans to borrow up to $375M in bonds for grid upgrades without raising rates, using staged bond tranches and expected demand growth to cover costs. Tourism Trade: Guam’s Visitors Bureau will host a Guam Mega FAM Tour Sept. 3–7, bringing 200+ travel pros, media, and influencers for tours and a tabletop marketplace to connect local businesses with international partners. Wastewater Upgrades: GWA is set to put $24.3M into design services for Northern Sewer Transmission Systems improvements tied to a 2024 EPA consent decree. Solar Expansion: Hybrid Land Use Commission approved Pacific Energy’s conditional use permit for a 13-acre, 20-megawatt solar site in Inalåhan, with stormwater and as-built plan conditions. Biosecurity: Guam is advancing overdue invasive species planning after securing a seat on the Pacific Plant Protection Organization’s executive committee, aiming to update standards and protocols. Local Health & Services: GMHA cut the ribbon on 38 new parking spaces at Guam Memorial Hospital, part of a phased effort to reduce appointment cancellations caused by parking barriers.

Guam Infrastructure & Utilities: Guam Waterworks Authority will add $24.3M for design services on northern sewer transmission upgrades, tied to a 2024 EPA partial consent decree and a change order with Duenas, Camacho & Associates. Biosecurity & Agriculture: Guam’s Biosecurity Division is moving to finally complete its overdue invasive species plan after Guam won a seat on the Pacific Plant Protection Organization executive committee, a step meant to strengthen regional pest standards and shipment protections. Energy & Land Use: Pacific Energy cleared a conditional use permit for a 20-megawatt solar project in Inalåhan after the Hybrid Land Use Commission approved the 13-acre site plan with stormwater and as-built requirements. Tourism & Business Connections: The Guam Visitors Bureau is bringing more than 200 travel trade professionals and media/influencers to the Guam Mega FAM Tour (Sept. 3–7) to connect local businesses with international partners. Public Works & Health Access: GMHA cut the ribbon on 38 new parking spaces at Guam Memorial Hospital to reduce appointment cancellations caused by parking barriers, with a second phase continuing through November. Education Oversight: A new audit says GDOE bought 286 AC units worth $2.7M that sat in a warehouse, with installation potentially requiring up to $9.5M more. Regional Security Cooperation: The Marshall Islands signed the first State Partnership Program agreement with Guam and Nebraska National Guards, focusing on disaster readiness, cyber defense, and security cooperation. Defense Industry Watch: The U.S. Navy released an RFI for a new air-launched torpedo concept, “Silent Anvil,” seeking next-generation anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Guam Infrastructure: GWA is moving ahead with $24.3M in design work for Northern Sewer Transmission Systems upgrades, tied to a 2024 EPA consent decree, with improvements planned for gravity lines, force mains, and sewer pump stations. Biosecurity & Agriculture: Guam’s seat on the Pacific Plant Protection Organization’s executive committee is helping unblock a long-delayed invasive species plan, with standards covering pest surveillance and pest-free shipment certification. Renewable Energy: Pacific Energy cleared a conditional use permit for a 13-acre solar farm in Inalåhan, part of a 20-megawatt Guam Power Authority contract, with stormwater and access plans included. Local Politics & Economy: Guam’s gubernatorial candidates clashed over how to revive tourism, support small businesses, and improve government services, with debates focused on workforce development and execution vs. transparency and reform. Education Accountability: A new audit says GDOE bought 286 AC units worth $2.7M that sat uninstalled in a warehouse, raising potential additional costs and legal exposure. Regional Security: Guam lawmakers and partners are active in Pacific forums as defense and supply-chain resilience concerns rise, including renewed debate over nuclear-free Pacific commitments. Military Readiness: A GAO report says DoD facilities worldwide, including Guam, have faced sustainment funding shortfalls since 2017, risking readiness and quality-of-life impacts. Business & Community: Rockit Ride is entering a new partnership phase, with Phoebe Guerrero taking over as general manager as investment and community engagement plans ramp up.