Joint Region Marianas recruits CNMI businesses

Joint Region Marianas is making a concerted push to involve more local businesses in its quality of life programs for active duty members. Amid the CNMI's pivot away from Chinese tourism, the military's increasing presence is embraced by local government.

JRM has boots on the ground to recruit NMI businesses to participate in its Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program to improve the quality of life of its active duty members and their families in the region. 

Dr. Joshua Wise with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce said, "Hoping on military families is just one avenue of what we are trying to really develop here."  That potential developing amid the Commonwealth's fiscal crisis and shift in tourism market strategy. 

Special Assistant for Military Affairs for the CNMI Government Danny Aquino added, "The governor and lieutenant governor have pivoted away from the China tourism market and we want to build and nourish or foster the development of the military market."

The program partners with local businesses to offer active duty members exclusive leisure activity packages for their off-time. The average age of those officers is 34 years old and 82% are men. JRM officials say they want Guam to be the duty station of choice. 

Judy Torres, chief of the Marianas Visitors Authority, said, "What do we have to offer? Our beautiful nature, our Indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian culture, and the toss of salad of cultures who calls this place home."

But the invitation has met some local concerns about how increased presence will impact the community.  "You should not be alarmed," noted Aquino. "Let's just be welcoming of this new opportunity for the military."

"Every business should be taking advantage of the situation with the military buildup."

JRM officials from Guam were not cleared to speak to the media at the public event and communicated through the Saipan Chamber of Commerce that their presentation could not be filmed either because they want to avoid "any unwanted issues." They told an audience member they'd return to present to more businesses if there's a demand for it.