Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan said the ongoing U.S. military buildup in the Northern Marianas must translate into real economic benefits for local residents and businesses, emphasizing the need for a stronger trickle-down effect into the island’s economy.
Speaking during the military panel at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce Economic Forum last March 11 at the Kensington Hotel, Aldan said the scale of federal investment tied to the Indo-Pacific strategy is historic, but local leaders must ensure that more of the spending circulates within the Commonwealth.
“The military field of Tinian represents one of the most significant federal investments in the history of our island,” Aldan said. “We recognize the strategic importance of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Indo-Pacific region, and we understand the important role that Tinian plays in supporting our nation’s security priorities.”
At the same time, Aldan said local leaders are asking whether the buildup is producing the broader economic impact residents expect.
“However, like many communities experiencing large-scale federal investment, an important question remains not only on how much is being spent, but how much of that spending is circulating within our local economy,” he said.
He noted reports indicating that roughly $12 million a year is being generated locally from development activities.
“That is certainly meaningful revenue for our island,” Aldan said. “But when compared to the hundreds of millions reportedly being invested, it also raises an important discussion.”
He said leaders should be asking how many contracts are being awarded to local businesses, how many long-term jobs are being created, and how much of the investment is actually reaching the local economy.
“These are not criticisms,” Aldan added. “Rather, they are strategic questions that help ensure that the buildup delivers lasting benefits to our community.”
According to Aldan, there are more than 30 posture-related projects across the region totaling roughly $2.5 billion in infrastructure requirements, with about 10 projects valued at more than $500 million already funded for construction or design.
He said maximizing the benefits of the buildup will require better coordination, workforce preparation, and greater inclusion of local contractors.
“Opportunity alone does not guarantee broad-based economic impact,” Aldan said. “With transparency, strong collaboration and clearly defined goals, we can ensure that Tinian’s role in national defense also supports sustainable development for our community.”
Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs Director Edward Camacho echoed the call for a balanced approach, stressing that improving the Commonwealth’s economy ultimately benefits the U.S. military as well.
“The messaging is no longer, if it’s good for the military it’s good for the Commonwealth,” Camacho said. “It’s not that. If it’s good for the Commonwealth, it’s going to be good for the military.”
He said stronger utilities, public health systems, schools and infrastructure benefit both residents and the military presence in the region.
“Make it good for the Commonwealth,” Camacho said. “If it’s good for the Commonwealth, good for the people, it’s going to be good for the military.”
Camacho also stressed that security plays a role in attracting investment.
“No investor will come into the CNMI if they know that it’s not secure, if we’re vulnerable,” he said. “So investments can come in when we have strong security backing it up.”
He added that the buildup should not be viewed as solely defending Guam.
“It’s for the defense of the Marianas,” Camacho said. “All the way from Cocos Island off Guam to the northernmost part of the chain.”
Rear Adm. Brett Meitus, commander of Joint Region Marianas, said the buildup will unfold over several years and will include opportunities beyond construction.
He said the military’s approach focuses on three phases—build, sustain, and operate.
“Everybody gets really focused on the build part, but it’s not just build,” Meitus said. “We talk about build, sustain and then operate from.”
While construction generates the most attention, he said long-term maintenance and operations will also create opportunities for local businesses.
“We want to be able to not only build the things, but then practice using them,” Meitus said. “When forces come in, those forces stay in hotels, they have their meals, they spend money in the local economy.”
Meitus also acknowledged that the military does not always get everything right and relies on community feedback.
“We’re absolutely committed to the max extent that we can to get everything right,” he said. “And if we do stumble in any way, shape or form—if a helicopter flies somewhere it shouldn’t — just call us.”
He added that local partners help ensure the military stays accountable.
“Whether it’s a small thing or a big thing, we’re absolutely committed to following every law, every statute and doing business the right way,” Meitus said.
Another highlight of the forum was a presentation by Marianas Integration LLC founder Glenna Palacios, who disclosed that her company recently secured a major federal contracting vehicle that could benefit local businesses.
Palacios said her company holds a position under the Navy’s Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract program covering the CNMI, Guam and American Samoa.
A recent contract modification dramatically increased the potential value.
“From the original contract value of $50 million for the first five years, and an additional $50 million if the option period is exercised, our recent modification award boosted up the contract value … potentially bringing the total contract value to $65 billion,” Palacios said.
She urged local businesses to participate by submitting capability statements so they can become subcontractors under the program.
“We have seen so many companies outside of the CNMI coming in, capturing all these contracts that are coming to the CNMI,” Palacios said. “We can do it. We just need to be able to get together.”
Rota Mayor Aubrey Hocog said her island is preparing for possible U.S. Air Force projects at the Benjamin T. Maglona International Airport, including the installation of a military aircraft arresting system and related infrastructure.
However, she said residents remain cautious because Rota has historically had little direct military activity.
“Our island’s history really has not had any military involvement dating back to World War II,” Hocog said. “And so our people are very conscientious, very concerned of the impact this will have.”
She said residents worry about potential noise, environmental impacts and other changes near the island’s main village of Sinapalo.
“At the same time, we recognize the need to modernize and we recognize the need to balance,” Hocog said.
Nadine Deleon Guerrero Kintol of the Small Business Development Center said her office is working with federal partners to train local businesses on how to compete for military contracts.
She encouraged companies to attend upcoming training sessions on federal procurement and registration requirements.
“We encourage everyone in the room—whether you’re a small business, thinking about starting a business, or even a big business—to come and see the SBDC so that we can help you,” she said.
Kintol said the first step for any company seeking Department of Defense work is registering in the federal procurement system.
“You can’t do anything with DOD unless you have that Unique Entity Identifier code, your CAGE code, and a capability statement that shows what your business can do,” she said.
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