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$10 Billion Price Tag Draws Industry Leaders to Guam

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080307-31
Release Date: 3/7/2008 9:41:00 PM

By Kyra Hawn, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas Public Affairs

TUMON, Guam (NNS) -- Over 1,300 U.S. and international industry representatives, along with senior representatives from the Joint Guam Program Office (JGPO), the government of Japan, government of Guam and the Department of the Navy converged on Guam March 6-8 for a three-day forum to further explore acquisition strategy, construction phasing, and management practices associated with the impending move of 17,000 Marines and family members from Okinawa, Japan to Guam.

The associated price tag for military construction needed to facilitate the move and relating infrastructure on Guam is estimated to be no less than $10 billion. While final relocation of Marines is not projected until 2014, associated work must begin in the near term to increase port capacity, upgrade outdated infrastructure and address methods to expand Guam's capacity to accommodate the influx of laborers and construction products.

With a current population of 170,000, the surge of people and supplies required to move through Guam in support of the Marine build-up will rapidly accelerate projected population growth, and it requires comprehensive planning and resource allocation.

Cohosted by JGPO and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), the Guam Industry Forum (GIF) this was the second in a series of similar outreach efforts intended to solicit ideas and innovation from industry experts. NAVFAC has the responsibility of designing and executing acquisition strategy, contract requirements, and construction phasing plans needed to prepare Guam military bases for the anticipated build-up. The first GIF was held on Guam in August 2007.

"This industry forum and the whole Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) endeavor is historic; our work is in front of us, no doubt about it," said Capt. Louis Cariello, operations officer for NAVFAC Pacific. "We feel good about where we are in the process, and we're encouraged by the dialogue we've had to date."

As stated by Cariello, the intent behind the forum and associated discussions is to "leverage industry expertise to optimize the strategy."

Felix P. Camacho, governor of Guam, extended the island's hospitality to industry participants, and expressed his optimism for the future. "There are businesses in Guam ready to join you in a prosperous future. We welcome you to join this community effort to be part of the bright future of Guam and her people."

Brig. Gen. Rex McMillian, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific provided the key note address to forum participants on day one. At the start of his remarks, McMillian emphasized that Marines in the Pacific are good neighbors, and will set the bar high for positive community engagement on Guam.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.