Commonwealth Economic Development Authority credits 2021 law and new marketing packet for surge in investor interest

Derek T. Sasamoto, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority (CEDA), told members of the House at a legislative forum that a June 2021 law expanding the agency's mandate and a new investment-marketing packet produced "a lot of momentum" and generated multiple investor leads since May 2025.

Sasamoto said CEDA's statutory change transformed the agency from a development bank into the primary lead for economic development and promotion. "The purpose of the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority is to be the primary agency tasked with economic development of the Commonwealth," he said, describing the 2021 law as the legal basis for new marketing and outreach efforts.

The agency continues to offer development finance, including infrastructure loans and small-business lending, but Sasamoto emphasized its expanded functions: investment promotion, trade missions and product marketing. He said CEDA administers a State Small Business Credit Initiative 2 program with "a potential of 57,000,000 over 3 tranches over 10 years" for businesses of "750 employees or less," and that the office has packaged incentives into a new investor packet introduced after Sasamoto became director in February 2025.

CEDA tested the packet at SelectUSA in May 2025, where Sasamoto said the agency met four investors and experienced heavy booth traffic. "We were flooded," he said, and he reported several investors progressing toward applications, articles of incorporation and public-land-lease steps. Sasamoto said some investors have already organized local entities and others are scheduling on-island due diligence visits.

Sasamoto told the forum that U.S. trade offices helped validate CEDA's materials and promised broader promotion. "The US trade offices called the Marianas the best kept secret of The United States," he said, adding that trade-office staff said they would verify CEDA's claims with legal teams and then market the Marianas more widely.

CEDA's international outreach also included an invitation to exhibit in the U.S. Pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan 2025, an event Sasamoto said drew more than 100,000 participants. He said that Taiwanese semiconductor investors plan on-island visits for additional due diligence and that international media—including Taiwan Broadcasting System (CTS Channel 52), the American Chamber of Commerce Taiwan and independent reporters—have produced or are planning features on the Marianas.

Sasamoto said the combination of the law, the new packet and the outreach has generated inbound invitations for CEDA to promote the Marianas across Asia, Europe and the U.S. He added that officials are tempering expectations until leases are signed and facilities are built, but that early signals show increased interest in high-tech and clean manufacturing.

While endorsing the recent gains, Sasamoto urged continued legislative care. "Impact can go either way," he said, arguing that laws should preserve predictability for investors. He said CEDA's near-term priorities include diversifying the economy, attracting high-quality manufacturing jobs and increasing energy and water capacity to support potential manufacturers.

No formal motions or votes on CEDA programs were recorded during the presentation; the session included a brief technical pause when the projector failed and the presentation continued without slides.