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Cashing in on Guam military buildup

Industry forum to offer project updates and networking opportunities for companies eyeing defense contracts


By Frank Whitman


Businesses looking to take part in the Department of Defense's multibillion-dollar military buildup underway in Guam and nearby Pacific islands would do well to attend the Guam Industry Forum 2024 in Guam on Nov. 14 and 15.


The forum will inform participants about the buildup, for which more than $11 billion has already been allocated and $2 billion per year more is projected over the next 10 years, according to the Society of American Military Engineers Guam Post.


In addition to an overview of the buildup projects, the forum will offer tips on how to do business with the federal government and provide opportunities to meet and collaborate with others with similar aspirations.


Phillip Santos

The forum is hosted by S.A.M.E. Guam Post, in collaboration with the Guam Chamber of Commerce and the Guam Contractors Association. More than a dozen such forums have been held in Guam since 2007.   


In addition to attracting businesses that can assist DoD with its strategic objectives, the forum will highlight projects that will assist the development of the island’s economy and infrastructure outside the military footprint.


“The industry forum has been a good opportunity for businesses on the island to seek opportunity, engage with industry partners, learn about certain things in terms of construction and the whole DoD plan to build up, not just on (Marine Corps Base) Camp Blaz, but also with the (Guam missile defense system),” said Phillip Santos, special executive committee member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce and one of the forum organizers.


The first of about 15 presentations will discuss the role of Guam, the Marianas and Micronesia in the defense of the Indo-Pacific region. Other presentations will focus on contracting, environmental issues, island infrastructure, housing and labor.


While the forum presentations mainly focus on the military’s plans, experts will also address challenges shared by the civilian community that are generated by the buildup, Santos said.


These challenges include the ongoing shortage of affordable housing, particularly workforce housing, and concerns about the adequacy of the island’s infrastructure in the face of the increase in the island’s population as a result of the buildup and the facilities’ ability to withstand disasters, natural and otherwise.


“The military requires infrastructure, so does the local government and community,” Santos said. “So how do we blend those? How are we going to address what is needed?”


The topic of infrastructure resilience will be addressed during a panel discussion at 2 p.m. Thursday. The panel will include representatives from Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Marianas, the Guam Power Authority, the Guam Waterworks Authority, Homeland Security, the Guam Telephone Authority and MITS Pacific.


Sessions about other non-DOD infrastructure will feature officials from the Consolidated Commission on Utilities, the Port Authority of Guam and the Guam International Airport Authority.


An important function of the panels is the generation of ideas among the experts, not just from panel members to the audience.


“It’s facilitating these industry leaders to sit in one room at one time, at one moment, to talk about these issues and opportunities,” Santos said. “So if there's an idea that comes up out of the sessions, I'm sure that we'll be taking note of that and pursuing that. After these forums, a lot of things happen. It's contacting, networking, following up, moving on.”


Another panel will address the potential use of “alternative” construction methods. “There's going to be some ways to explore other methods of getting materials or streamlining horizontal or vertical projects,” Santos said.


He noted that Astro America recently demonstrated its 3D Tools on Guam. “That's another alternative construction material. Again, just to address rising costs. What other ideas are there?”


Though the forum ends Friday, participants may wish to take part in two activities on Saturday, Nov. 16.


At 10 a.m., up to 200 participants will begin a bus “window tour” of key project sites, most in northern Guam. Staff will be on board to provide an overview and answer questions. The tour will be particularly informative for those from off- island.


At noon, the Charlie Corn Scholarship Golf Tournament will begin at Finest Guam Golf & Resort in Dededo. The annual tournament raises funds to provide scholarships for local engineering students.


In the 14 years the tournament has been in existence it has generated $341,000 to fund 120 scholarships for students interested in architecture and engineering. Students from Guam, Palau, the Northern Marianas and the Federated States of Micronesia. “That's one thing that the S.A.M.E. Guam Post has been very proud of,” Santos said.  

 



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