AGP Executive Report

Business Resilience: The CNMI Small Business Development Center will hold a free summit for women entrepreneurs on disaster readiness, finances and cybersecurity. Workplace Technology: SHRM’s local chapter will discuss AI-related cybersecurity risks and employee training at its Nov. 12 meeting. Power Costs: Residents backed CUC’s proposed utility-scale solar project but opposed rate hikes at a CPUC hearing. The solar deal faces an Oct. 31 financing deadline; the commission is set to decide on CUC’s rate proposal Nov. 20. Seabed Mining: Gov. David Apatang is seeking revenue sharing, local jobs, contracts and port investment before a planned Marianas lease sale on Dec. 16. Workforce Training: Northern Marianas Technical Institute has applied to let veterans use GI Bill benefits for local vocational programs.

Energy Costs: Saipan residents backed CUC’s proposed utility-scale solar project but opposed rate hikes at a CPUC hearing. The $245 million deal faces an Oct. 31 financing deadline; a decision on CUC’s rate increase is expected Nov. 20. Workforce Development: Northern Marianas Technical Institute has applied to let local veterans use GI Bill benefits for vocational training, a step toward expanding workforce opportunities at home. Seabed Mining: The Marianas lease sale is set for Dec. 16. Gov. David Apatang is seeking enforceable local benefits, including revenue sharing, jobs for residents and contracts for local businesses. Small Business: CNMI’s SBDC will host a free summit for women entrepreneurs on financial resilience, disaster readiness and cybersecurity.

Utilities and Solar: Regulators are weighing CUC’s proposed $245 million solar-and-battery deal as an Oct. 31 federal financing deadline approaches. Ratepayers are also challenging proposed power, water and wastewater increases; a decision is expected Nov. 20. Small Business: CNMI’s Small Business Development Center will hold a free summit for women entrepreneurs on disaster readiness, finances and cybersecurity. Business Leadership: The Saipan Chamber has named six candidates for five board seats in its November election. Seabed Mining: Gov. David Apatang is seeking revenue sharing, local jobs and environmental safeguards for the CNMI ahead of a planned Dec. 16 lease sale.

Seabed Mining: The first U.S. deep-sea mineral lease auction is set for Nov. 19 near American Samoa, with a Marianas sale to follow Dec. 16. Gov. David Apatang is pressing for enforceable CNMI revenue sharing, local jobs and contracts, port investment, and environmental safeguards before the sale proceeds. Power Costs and Solar: Ratepayers are challenging CUC’s proposed utility hikes and a typhoon surcharge with no stated end date; a decision is expected Nov. 20. A proposed $500 million solar project is also at risk: its bidder says it will withdraw unless the commission acts by Oct. 31. Tourism and Trade: Philippine Airlines is scheduled to resume Manila-Saipan flights Oct. 25, a move tourism officials say could bring visitors and improve travel options for residents and workers. Worker Relief: CNMI business operators want foreign workers, including CW visa holders, included in disaster unemployment assistance; the application deadline is Oct. 24.

Seabed Mining: Gov. David Apatang is seeking enforceable revenue sharing, local jobs and contracts, and port investment before the federal government proceeds with a Pacific seabed-mining lease sale. He says the CNMI should not bear the risks without economic benefits. Utility Costs: Ratepayers are pressing CUC for answers on proposed power, water and wastewater increases, including when its “temporary” typhoon surcharge would end. The CPUC plans to decide the rate case Nov. 20; initial increases could begin Dec. 1. Solar Deadline: A proposed $500 million solar project faces an Oct. 31 decision deadline. Its developer says it may withdraw without an approved power-purchase agreement, putting financing and a federal tax-credit timeline at risk. Shipping Recovery: Saipan’s port has reopened without restrictions, while Tinian is allowing daylight cargo operations and Rota has also reopened, restoring access in stages after Typhoon Champi. Disaster Aid: Small-business operators are asking CNMI leaders to include CW workers in disaster unemployment assistance, saying foreign workers also lost income in Typhoon Sinlaku.

Shipping Recovery: Tinian has resumed commercial cargo operations in daylight hours, and Rota has reopened as the islands recover from Typhoon Champi. Operators must still check facility restrictions and navigation conditions. Utility Costs: Ratepayers on Saipan and Tinian are challenging CUC’s proposed power, water and wastewater increases, citing high bills, billing problems and unpaid accounts. The CPUC expects to decide the rate case Nov. 20. Solar Investment: The commission may not meet an Oct. 31 deadline to decide on Eastern Power Solutions’ proposed $500 million solar project. Eastern says delay could jeopardize financing and federal tax credits, and it may withdraw its bid. Tourism: Philippine Airlines is set to restart twice-weekly Manila–Saipan flights Oct. 25. The Marianas Visitors Authority approved $400,000 in promotions, hoping to attract new visitors as well as serve Filipino residents. Disaster Aid: Saipan business operators are asking leaders to include CW-1 workers in disaster unemployment assistance after Typhoon Sinlaku, saying foreign workers and employers also suffered lost income.

Utility Rates: Tinian residents challenged CUC’s proposed increases after one household’s bill topped $1,085, including an $844 fuel charge. Ratepayers also called for overdue bills, billing problems and utility inefficiencies to be addressed before customers pay more. CPUC plans to decide on the three-year rate proposal Nov. 20. Solar Deadline: The commission is unsure it can rule by Oct. 31 on Eastern Power Solutions’ proposed $500 million solar project. Eastern says a signed power agreement is needed to secure financing and keep the project on track for federal tax credits. Trade and Recovery: Saipan’s port has reopened to commercial traffic after Typhoon Champi, while Tinian and Rota remain under heavy-weather restrictions. Small-business operators are also urging CNMI leaders to include foreign workers in disaster unemployment aid after Sinlaku. Tourism: Philippine Airlines is set to resume Manila-Saipan flights Oct. 25, with tourism officials hoping the route will bring new visitors as well as serve CNMI residents and Filipino workers.

Port Recovery: Saipan’s port reopened to unrestricted commercial traffic and cargo Monday after Typhoon Champi, while Guam, Tinian and Rota remained under heavy-weather restrictions. Disaster Aid: CNMI small-business operators are urging leaders to include foreign workers in Typhoon Sinlaku unemployment assistance. More than $10.1 million is available, but applications are due Oct. 24. Power Costs: Ratepayers and lawmakers want CUC to collect overdue bills, fix billing problems and face an independent audit before regulators approve proposed utility rate hikes. Renewable Energy: Eastern Power Solutions says it will withdraw its solar bid if regulators don’t approve its agreement by Oct. 31, putting the project’s financing timeline at risk. A separate resolution urges CUC to speed up renewable projects to preserve federal tax credits. Tourism: Philippine Airlines resumes Manila–Saipan flights Oct. 25, with a $400,000 tourism promotion deal aimed at attracting visitors through the carrier’s international network.

Utility Rates: Ratepayers and lawmakers want CUC to collect millions in unpaid bills, fix billing problems and undergo an independent audit before any power, water or wastewater rate hikes. Renewable Energy: Eastern Power Solutions says it will withdraw its solar bid if regulators don’t approve the deal by Oct. 31. A separate House resolution urges CUC to speed up renewable projects so they can qualify for federal tax credits. Port Operations: Saipan’s port has reopened to commercial traffic and cargo, while Guam, Tinian and Rota remain under heavy-weather restrictions. Disaster Aid: Small-business operators are urging CNMI leaders to include foreign workers in disaster unemployment assistance; the application deadline is Oct. 24. Tourism: Philippine Airlines is set to resume Manila–Saipan flights on Oct. 25, backed by a $400,000 MVA promotion deal aimed at attracting visitors and improving travel options.

Storm Recovery: Bank of Hawai‘i’s Gualo Rai branch is set to reopen Monday after Typhoon Champi’s closures, while airlines adjust Saipan schedules and businesses resume operations as weather allows. Tourism Links: Philippine Airlines is due to restore nonstop Manila–Saipan service Oct. 25, with the Marianas Visitors Authority approving $400,000 for promotion across the winter and summer travel seasons. Clean-Energy Investment: Eastern Power Solutions says it will withdraw its utility-scale solar bid if the Public Utilities Commission does not approve it by Oct. 31, citing financing deadlines and expiring federal tax credits. Short-Term Rentals: Revenue and Taxation says it cannot enforce the proposed rental-tax bill’s platform collection rules with current systems, raising questions about how the measure would work.

Storm Recovery: Super Typhoon Champi intensified to Category 5 after passing near Guam, disrupting regional travel. Bank of Hawai‘i’s Gualo Rai branch on Saipan is set to reopen Monday, while Hong Kong Airlines postponed its Saipan flight and other carriers adjusted schedules. Tourism Links: Philippine Airlines’ return to Saipan is expected to bring new visitors and improve travel options for residents, though flights have yet to prove resilient to severe weather. Energy Investment: Eastern Power Solutions says it will withdraw its utility-scale solar bid unless regulators approve the project by Oct. 31, warning that financing timelines and federal tax credits are at stake.

Storm Recovery: Super Typhoon Champi passed near Guam, disrupting Mariana Islands flights and forcing business closures. Hong Kong Airlines postponed its Saipan flight, while Bank of Hawai‘i plans to reopen its Gualo Rai branch Monday. Tourism: Philippine Airlines’ return to Saipan is expected to expand visitor access beyond the Philippines; the airline plans twice-weekly service, backed by a $400,000 MVA promotional deal. Energy Investment: Eastern Power Solutions warned it will withdraw its solar bid unless the utilities commission approves the project by Oct. 31, citing financing deadlines and expiring federal tax credits. Business Regulation: A proposed short-term rental tax bill faces hurdles: the tax director says the CNMI cannot enforce its platform collection rules with current systems, though tourism and business representatives support the measure.

Storm Disruptions: Super Typhoon Champi passed close to Guam, while the storm disrupted Mariana travel and business operations. Hong Kong Airlines postponed its Saipan flight; Star Marianas canceled services, and Bank of Hawai‘i temporarily closed Guam and Saipan branches. Tourism: The Marianas Visitors Authority approved a $400,000 Philippine Airlines promotion, hoping the carrier’s return will connect the CNMI to new visitor markets beyond the Philippines. Energy Costs: CNMI Gov. David Apatang is backing a study of nuclear power as a possible alternative to aging diesel generators and costly imported fuel; feasibility and safety reviews would still be needed. Short-Term Rentals: Revenue and Taxation officials say the CNMI cannot enforce a proposed rental-tax bill as written, citing outdated systems and limited staff—a hurdle for efforts to regulate the sector and collect taxes.

Storm Disruptions: As Champi approaches, businesses across the Marianas are securing sites and adjusting hours. Bank of Hawai‘i has closed its Guam and Saipan branches until further notice; online banking and its call center remain available. Energy Costs: Gov. David Apatang says the CNMI should study nuclear power as a possible alternative to aging diesel generators and costly imported fuel, while acknowledging that detailed safety and feasibility work is needed. Tourism: The Marianas Visitors Authority approved a $400,000 promotion deal tied to Philippine Airlines’ planned return to Saipan on Oct. 25, which officials say could connect the CNMI to new visitor markets. August arrivals, however, were down 61%. Short-Term Rentals: Revenue and Taxation says a proposed rental tax bill cannot be enforced as written because the division lacks the systems to make online platforms collect and remit taxes.

Typhoon Preparations: Champi has strengthened to a typhoon, with damaging winds and heavy rain forecast across the Marianas. Saipan businesses are securing properties, while Bank of Hawai‘i has closed its Saipan branch until further notice. Tinian businesses are bracing for another storm after earlier typhoon damage. Tourism: August visitor arrivals were 61% below last year’s level, but Philippine Airlines is scheduled to resume Saipan service Oct. 25. The Marianas Visitors Authority approved $400,000 for promotion, aiming to use the airline’s network to reach new markets. Energy Costs: Gov. David Apatang says nuclear power should be studied as a possible alternative to aging diesel generators and costly imported fuel; feasibility, safety and environmental reviews are still needed. Short-Term Rentals: Revenue and Taxation says it cannot enforce a proposed rental-tax bill’s requirements for booking platforms without costly system upgrades, raising doubts about the measure as written.

Storm Preparations: Tropical Storm Champi could bring damaging winds and heavy rain to the Marianas this weekend. Saipan businesses began securing properties, while Bank of Hawai‘i will close its Saipan branch from Saturday until further notice; online and mobile banking remain available. Tourism: Philippine Airlines’ return to Saipan later this month is seen as a chance to reach new visitor markets. The Marianas Visitors Authority approved a $400,000 joint promotion deal, as August arrivals remained 61% below last year. Energy: Gov. David Apatang backs exploring nuclear power to cut reliance on costly imported fuel, but feasibility and safety studies would be needed. A vote on a major solar project could come as utility regulators review legal and land-use concerns. Short-Term Rentals: The tax director says a bill shifting tax collection to rental operators and booking platforms is unenforceable as written, citing system limits and a shortage of auditors.