A 20-member, multi-sector delegation from the Northern Mariana Islands recently attended the Interagency Regional Convening in San Francisco to advocate for infrastructure support and address regional defense readiness, according to the NMI Office of the Governor.
Led by Henry S. Hofschneider, chief of staff for the Office of the Governor, the group included representatives from public utilities, healthcare, ports, and homeland security. The three-day event, hosted by the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, marked the first time the NMI participated in this federal regional convening process.
NMI Gov. David Apatang, remained in Saipan to oversee the fiscal year 2027 budget but noted the delegation represents a coordinated push for federal assistance. During the convening, discussions focused on the intersection of community resilience and defense readiness.
Officials addressed the NMI's declining population, the subsequent strain on the local tax base, and the limited capacity of civilian infrastructure to accommodate both local residents and growing military activities.
BJ Nicholas, policy advisor for military affairs for the NMI, emphasized that maintaining a strong and sustainable community is a critical component of regional defense readiness.
Representatives also raised concerns regarding federal grant structures that place small island ports in direct competition with massive mainland facilities, despite stark differences in scale, cost, logistics, and access to resources. Hofschneider and the delegation urged federal partners to consider funding approaches tailored to the unique circumstances of the Western Pacific, citing geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and logistical constraints. mbj
