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Palacios: broadband, DOD partnerships and tourism diversification central to economic recovery
Summary
The governor outlined broadband investments, private sector commitments and tourism diversification strategies, including a BEAD/BEAT fiber program, Google‑backed subsea cables and workforce training to capture jobs from large infrastructure investments.
Governor Arnold I. Palacios said the administration is pursuing broadband expansion, military partnerships and tourism diversification as pillars of a diversified economy.
"We have secured $81,000,000 through the federal BEAT program to construct a climate hardened underground fiber optic network that will reach every home and business across our islands," Palacios said. He said a $93,000,000 Google investment will bring at least four trans‑Pacific subsea fiber optic cables to the CNMI and that Citadel Pacific is building a Google center on Tinian; the governor asked the US State Department for support to secure the lines.
Palacios said training programs are preparing local workers: a broadband boot camp in partnership with Northern Marianas College and NM Tech has trained more than 300 residents in fiber optics and job readiness, and participants receive a living stipend.
The governor said the administration is coordinating with the Department of Defense to align military infrastructure projects with civilian disaster response and economic opportunities, including advocating for local hiring and training on DOD contracts. He also described tourism strategy shifts led by the Marianas Visitors Authority to target wellness, eco‑friendly travel, education tourism, workcation markets and culturally immersive experiences.
Business leaders who addressed the session — including Citadel Pacific’s Jim Bigley and Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Jamaica Tyrone — were recognized during the event.
