OIA Press Releases (2020 to Present)
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $571,306 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments for the U.S. Virgin Islands
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a once-in-a-generation investment for American infrastructure across this country, including the territories,” said Assistant Secretary Cantor. “The Office of Insular Affairs will continue working to deliver these critical investments towards resilient physical and natural infrastructure as we safeguard ecosystems, protect endangered species and support U.S. Virgin Island communities.
OIA Announces Additional $1.3 Million in Final TAP Awards, Closes Out FY2022 Year
This final batch of funding will support food security through mangrove crab farming, water security, student development, utilities management, and more,” said Assistant Secretary Cantor. “These are important priorities in the Insular Areas that help promote resiliency and well-being in their respective communities.
OIA Announces Nearly $37 Million in Compact Funding to Help Strengthen Republic of the Marshall Islands Communities
"Funding through the Compacts of Free Association has provided important, reliable support for both the health and education sectors in the RMI, just as the Compacts themselves have provided a solid foundation for democratic governance, peace and security in the larger Indo-Pacific region," said Assistant Secretary Cantor.
OIA Announces $82.5 Million in Compact Funding to Help Strengthen Federated States of Micronesia Communities
"Funding through the Compacts of Free Association has provided important, reliable support for both the health and education sectors in the FSM, just as the Compacts themselves have provided a solid foundation for democratic governance, peace and security in the larger Indo-Pacific region," said Assistant Secretary Cantor.
Assistant Secretary Cantor Visits American Samoa, Announces Nearly $390,000 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments
Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor today completed her first official visit to American Samoa where she met with area leaders, emphasized the agency’s commitment to the people of American Samoa, and announced key investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Announces $2.7 Million to Protect Coral Reefs and Natural Resources; Control Invasives
The funding support we are providing this year will help support coral protection initiatives, participation in the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force as well as the National Coral Reef Fellowship Management Program, protect watershed areas, and so much more,” said Assistant Secretary Cantor. “I look forward to serving as co-chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and learning more about threats and challenges to corals and natural resources, but also to celebrating efforts and the successes in protecting them. While corals are critical specifically to island communities, they have an impact globally on the ocean resources that we all rely on.
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Approves Advance of $296.6 Million to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam for Rum and Section 30 Tax Payments for FY 2023
OIA has announced the approval of advance payments of $226,165,037 to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and $70,398,471 to Guam for 2023 estimated rum tax-cover over payments and federal income tax Section 30 advance payments, respectively. Payments will be made the week ending September 9.
In August 2022, the United States and the FSM complete a round of Compact Talks in Washington
Representatives from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the United States of America recently concluded two days of discussion on extending U.S. economic assistance, and other assistance, to the FSM after Fiscal Year 2023, when much of the U.S. Government’s current annual assistance under the Compact of Free Association, as Amended, between the FSM and the United States is set to expire.
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Announces $3,473,362 in FY2022 Grant Support to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs has announced $3,473,362 in fiscal year 2022 Technical Assistance Program and Maintenance Assistance Program grant funding that will benefit the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands through government and public semi-autonomous organizations.
Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Funds Study of Mitigation Options for Sargassum Seaweed Influx in the U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) has announced that $499,796 will be awarded to the University of the Virgin Islands to study and analyze the best ways to mitigate the growing influxes of Sargassum seaweed to the territory.