Our View: GEDA grants benefit community in the best way
Pacific Daily News
When the government gives tax breaks to businesses on Guam via qualifying certificates, it’s important that the community benefits in ways beyond the new jobs and economic activity generated.
Businesses issued tax-break qualifying certificates through the Guam Economic Development Authority pay mandatory annual community contributions and GEDA used to keep most of the money for its own operations.
But starting in 2019 the agency began funding availability and provided an opportunity for other agencies and nonprofit groups to apply for grants. On Monday, GEDA announced seven government and nonprofit that were awarded a total of $303,275.40 to fund projects related to economic development, job training and developing small businesses.
More than a dozen unemployed residents, “stuck” because they never finished high school and can’t effectively compete for jobs, are among those who will get help through community contributions paid by Guam Regional Medical City and the Tsubaki Tower.
The Guam Economic Development Authority on Monday announced the seven government and non-profit organizations who have been awarded a total of $303,275.40 to fund projects related to economic development, job training, and developing small businesses.
The money comes from the mandatory annual community contributions, paid by businesses that were issued tax-break qualifying certificates through GEDA.
GEDA used to keep most of that money for its own operations, but in 2019 started a new program that announces funding availability and provides an opportunity for agencies and non-profit groups to apply for grants to fund their eligible projects. GEDA Administrator Melanie Mendiola said GEDA now keeps about 30% to 35% of the communi