Aumua Announces $7 Million in Grant Funds for Infrastructure Projects Across the Island
Washington, D.C. – September 28, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, announced the release of more than $7 million in grant funding to American Samoa through the Office of Insular Affairs’ (OIA) Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Program. The funds will be used to support priorities and much needed improvements to critical infrastructure in the territory.
“These infrastructure projects are essential to strengthening economic development in American Samoa,” said Amata. “The territory’s transportation, health, education, and water systems are outdated and in need of extensive refurbishing and repair. These funds will directly and positively affect our local schools, roads and health care,” stated Amata.
Specifically, the funds will be used to bolster several initiatives including:
The Department of Port Administration, which includes improvements to the Airport Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) Facility, upgrades to runway lights, and a new security perimeter fence at the Fiti’uta Airport. Funding will also be used for the design and construction of a ferry vessel to provide reliable passenger/cargo transportation to and from the Manu’a Islands.
American Samoa Shipyard for procurement of equipment and supplies needed to restore the 3,000 ton slipway, the shipyard’s top revenue generator and only provider of dry-docking services.
Primary Care Center in Faga’alu. An existing building that houses physical exams and the Well Baby Clinic will be renovated and upgraded to include six exam rooms, three medical offices, a staff conference room, two full locker rooms for clinical staff, and two lavatories. The center will also be expanded to add a patient waiting area, receptionist desk, nursing area, and space for records management.
Samoana High School to furnish a new two-story classroom building which will house eight classrooms, a computer laboratory and restrooms.
American Samoa Power Authority for improvements to the water distribution system. Upgrades to water mains will allow for installation of fire hydrants in neighborhoods that currently lack these fire protection measures.
Pago Pago International Airport to remove a public safety hazard by relocating the fuel tank farm from its current location at the rear of the airport public parking lot deemed to be the territory’s single most significant terrorism vulnerability by both the FAA and the Department of Homeland Security.
“I want to thank Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina for her steadfast support of American Samoa and those back home who put in long hours of hard work, to make sure that we received this important funding,” concluded Amata.
