by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with various government agencies in an attempt to utilize as much American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding before the September deadline. USDA Rural Development Area Director Joe Diego says they are working with the Port Authority of Guam on that agency's modernization efforts, the Guam Waterworks Authority on a $39 million application to fund wastewater infrastructure upgrades leading up to the Agana Sewage Treatment Plant, and buildup needs at the University of Guam and the Guam Community College.

Said Diego, "The Guam Memorial hospital also has about $1 million worth of grant applications that they've submitted for some of their smaller projects within the Guam Memorial Hospital facility, so that's probably just the tip of the iceberg of several projects that we are engaged in with the Government of Guam."

He also said that the USDA is also trying to assist with the construction of a public safety headquarters, but he isn't sure that plan will be solidified for funding before the deadline in six months.