As of December 31, 2024, American Samoa had successfully obligated the full $494 million it was awarded under the American Rescue Plan Act.
This funding is being utilized across various initiatives aimed at stimulating the economy, enhancing public services, and fostering long-term resilience in the community.
According to a press release from the Governor’s Office, in addition to initiatives from the past administration, Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula recently approved additional ARPA Projects under the Governor’s Office Emergency Relief Award of $20 million that was reallocated from the New Hospital Medical Facility project which has been scrapped.
This additional funding will go to:
- Department of Homeland Security: Territorial Communication Infrastructure Project
- Department of Search and Rescue: EMS, Fire Protection, Marine Patrol, Emergency Preparedness
- Department of Public Safety: Emergency Police Academy
- Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources: Emergency Multi-Purpose Vessel
- Territorial Administration on Aging: Infrastructure for Emergency Preparedness
- Ronald Reagan Shipyard Services Authority: Retrofitting Shoreline Emergency Management
- Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: Emergency Preparedness Infrastructure
The press release says ARPA funding remains a crucial resource, supporting temporary staff assignments across various departments in order to expedite the implementation of initiatives. A detailed feature regarding the establishment of the ARPA Office, including its staffing, structural organization, and significant role in fostering economic recovery and resilience in American Samoa, will be published in the near future.
Meanwhile, the Argosy Building located in Tafuna is scheduled to close this month as part of a strategic decision to sell the property to the Department of Health (DOH).
“This acquisition will allow the DOH to establish its new headquarters, thereby consolidating staff and enhancing operational efficiency in the delivery of healthcare services. In parallel, the ARPA Advisory Panel will conduct interviews to explore additional strategies for improving shipping access to American Samoa.”
The press release does not state the cost of the building which is owned by Haleck Enterprises and was once leased to Argosy University, which closed its local campus a few years ago. The release doesn’t specific if the funding source for the acquisition is ARPA.
