Local leaders address impacts of military expansion on the island

What are the far-reaching impacts of military expansion on the island, and how are local leaders responding to these growing challenges?

University of Guam Public Administration students drove this critical discussion Wednesday at their forum, "Shaping Guam's Future: The impact of military expansion."

First up for the panel, how will a rising military presence affect the island's tourism industry?  And would tourists be interested in visiting an island mostly owned by the military?

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero weighed in.

“It impacts tourism in a very positive way because they feel the military being here is part of their whole sense of safety and security. I also want to say that the military does not own Guam. The people of Guam own Guam,” said Leon Guerrero. 

Guam Visitors Bureau Vice President Gerry Perez shared his expertise.

“There is a benefit of having a military presence in terms of the economic base–is an uncorrelated factor–which means it’s not sensitive to the same drivers of tourism. Whether it’s currency exchanges,” said Perez. 

What about the surge in housing demand from military personnel and its impact on housing prices and availability for local families?

Republican candidate for Guam Delegate, Congressman Jim Moylan, shared his view.

“We’ve been able to help as a member of the House Armed Services by providing more funding so they can build inside,” said Moylan. “You got to work within their footprint, build vertically, see what they can lease out, not purchase, refabricate what’s not working for them, and utilize that so our children can have places to live.”

Democratic Guam Delegate Candidate Ginger Cruz also offered her ideas.  

“We might be able to consider changing the base allowance from the overseas base allowance to the standard base allowance, which would reduce the amount the military gets for their rentals, which would automatically start to lower rents like tomorrow for everybody out there looking to rent something,” said Cruz. 

“For contractors coming to the island–have an offset where if you come to the island, and you’re going to bring contractors to work here, you have to put money into the Guam Housing corporation so that we can use that for down payments for local families,” Cruz added. 

The panel, including leaders from the 37th Guam Legislature and Guam Chamber of Commerce, also addressed the military’s impact on the environment, education, and infrastructure.