Delegate James Moylan met with executives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture this afternoon at his office in Hagatna, to continue the conversations the Guam Congressional Office has been having with USDA officials to improve program opportunities for residents of Guam and within this region.

Today, he met with Chris Kanazawa, State Director of Rural Development, Joaquin Altoro, the Administrator of Rural Housing Services and Yvonne Hsu, Chief of Staff for Rural Housing Services. They were also joined by Area Director, Joseph Diego.

The conversations included programs such as the Section 504, REAP, and Community Facilities Program, among others, inclusive of the implementation and resources to get the application process moving along.

Moylan stated, “Last year, our office opened discussions with the USDA offices, both in Guam and Hawaii, to ensure that Guam develops into a hub for their various development programs. This was critical, not just for families needing improvements with their home, or businesses seeking financing for various needs, but also for entities within the region, who look to the Guam office for these financial needs.”

“We also introduced a measure to seek more independence for the Guam office, while asking the State Department office in Hawaii to enhance their commitment to Guam and the region. Not just through words, but also through actions and deliverables. Their trip to Guam came at a request that I made during one of these discussions, and we have also been promoting some of their programs, with schedules for the application process forthcoming,” added Moylan.

USDA officials held a seminar this morning at the University of Guam to promote their programs and will be visiting Saipan tomorrow.

Moylan said, “I want to thank State Director Chris Kanazawa for his efforts, and want to thank both Administrator Joaquin Altoto and Chief of Staff Yvonne Hsu for making it here to Guam from all the way from D.C. I also want to commend Area Director Joe Diego and his team here in Guam for their hard work and commitment to bringing in the millions of dollars for investments into Guam and this region. We are excited about the forthcoming opportunities for Guam’s residents and businesses.”