OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)

FY 2023 Grants totaling $1,608,516 from Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs to Support Financial Management in the Northern Mariana Islands

06/02/2023

“Governor Palacios has indicated the urgent need for the CNMI government to address financial management issues in the territory and I am pleased that we can provide some relevant and urgently needed support in the areas of financial records management, financial management system implementation, and public auditor training.” -Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor

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OIA Announces $4,279,808 Cross-Cutting Grants for Insular Areas

05/22/2023

$4,279,808 in FY2023 TAP grant funding will support healthcare for populations from the nuclear-affected atolls in the Marshall Islands, youth education and outreach, judicial training, natural resource conservation, and weather forecasting for climate change resilience in the Pacific Insular Areas. 

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Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Announces $2,528,951 in FY2023 Grants Benefitting the U.S. Virgin Islands

05/18/2023

“The funding this year will support many important needs for the U.S. Virgin Islands, such as emergency response, improving government processes, utilities training, sustainable water resources, and youth mentoring on climate change and natural resources protection. We are especially pleased to be able to support the U.S. Virgin Islands in preparations for the commemoration of 175 years of emancipation.” - Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor 

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Biden-Harris Administration Awards $12 Million through Investing in America Agenda to Combat Climate Change in the U.S. Territories

05/11/2023

The Territorial Climate and Infrastructure Workshop convened local, federal and territorial representatives Workshop in Hawaii today, where $12 million in key investments from the Inflation Reduction Act was announced for climate change planning, mitigation, adaptation and resilience for the U.S. Territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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U.S. Department of the Interior Supports Solution for Compact Impact

05/05/2023

The legal authorization underlying mandatory and discretionary Compact Impact appropriations expires after 2023. 

Ultimately, any extension of Compact impact funding or extension of Federal benefits to Compact migrants residing in the United States and its territories requires congressional action. The Department of the Interior will continue working with Congress on these matters, including the proposed Compact Impact Fairness Act.  

 

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Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Now Accepting Applications from U.S. Territories for Energy Projects

03/27/2023

Proposals are now being accepted for the Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) grant program for fiscal year (FY) 2023. The anticipated total funding available to the territories is $15.5 million. Those eligible to apply are local government entities, independent authorities, and educational institutions located in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2023.

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President Biden Proposes $537 Million in the FY 2024 Budget for U.S. Territories and the Freely Associated States

03/09/2023

The FY 2024 budget proposal for OIA includes $122 million in current appropriations and $414 million in permanent funding. It also reflects proposed increases from the FY 2023 enacted level of $4 million in Capital Improvement Projects grant funding to support critical infrastructure needs in the Territories, and $900,000 for the Coral Reef Initiative and Natural Resources grant program to address additional conservation needs for all Insular Areas.

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Assistant Secretary Cantor Completes Pacific Tour of Hawaiʻi, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

01/26/2023

Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today wrapped up a trip to Hawai’i, Guam and Saipan. Her visit included valuable opportunities to highlight U.S. investments, the importance of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Biden-Harris administration’s recently launched first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities.

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